Tag: Food politics

According to the CDC, from 1998 to 2018, there were 202 outbreaks linked to drinking raw milk, resulting in 2,645 illnesses and 228 hospitalizations. Concerns over these outbreaks and the presence of dangerous bacteria are the primary reason why they are trying to ban raw milk sales in many jurisdictions.

The United States first introduced a food guide in 1943 during World War II, but the 1992 Food Guide Pyramid remains the most iconic and controversial dietary tool. Despite its ubiquity, the pyramid faced significant criticism for scientific inaccuracies, industry lobbying, and failing to address the complexities of modern nutrition.

The USDA's original Food Guide Pyramid, introduced in 1992, came under immediate and sustained scrutiny from nutrition experts and the public for its controversial recommendations. Its eventual replacement was a direct response to a cascade of criticisms arguing that the guide was influenced by food industry lobbyists, provided confusing and outdated advice, and overemphasized certain macronutrients.

According to a National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) study, millions of Indians consume beef or buffalo meat, challenging the widespread narrative of complete abstention. This reality sparks the question: is beef a delicacy in India, or is its status a matter of complex regional, religious, and culinary divides?

According to a 2025 Gallup poll, fewer Americans than ever are confident in the nation's food safety regulations. This growing distrust is fueled by a critical question: why doesn't the US ban chemicals in food that are prohibited in many other countries? The answer lies in a complex interplay of regulatory frameworks, industry influence, and differing approaches to risk.

In 2008, journalist Michael Pollan’s influential book, *In Defense of Food*, introduced a wide audience to the term nutritionism, an ideology that reduces the value of food to its constituent nutrients. This perspective has profoundly influenced modern dietary habits and the food industry, shifting focus from whole, unprocessed foods to isolated nutritional components.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Indians have one of the lowest rates of meat consumption per capita globally, despite often being misperceived as a largely vegetarian nation. This dietary pattern is influenced by a complex interplay of historical, religious, economic, and social factors.

According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), while there are no human clinical trials on bioengineered (BE) food, animal studies have indicated a number of serious health risks related to consumption. These findings, along with environmental and ethical concerns, fuel the ongoing debate about the safety and wisdom of a food system reliant on genetic modification.

While surveys show increasing interest in plant-based eating for health and environmental reasons, a significant public debate continues to surround the topic. This article explores why are plant-based diets controversial, examining the valid concerns, cultural friction, and complex ethical arguments on all sides of the conversation.

According to the Dairy Farmers of Canada, the use of the artificial growth hormone rBGH was banned in Canada in 1999, joining many other nations around the world. The decision to ban rBGH in numerous countries is not based on a single reason, but rather a complex interplay of animal welfare issues, potential human health concerns, and economic considerations.