Posts tagged fast food
Food in the News: 8/28-9/03
Sep 4th
Shit continues to hit the fan in the food world, and I wonder when everybody is going to snap out of it. We’ve got to return to our roots — local, organic, family farm production is our salvation. It’s the only way the world will become a better place.
City kids get a lesson in bacon, bloodshed (Chicago Tribune)
Kids learn where their meat comes from, and what is has to go through to get onto their plate.
Related video: Children react to animal slaughter
New York City restaurateurs under seige (Wall Street Journal via Slashfood)
Masaharu Morimoto is the latest in the string of high-profile chefs and restaurateurs getting slapped with lawsuits alleging that “restaurants are depriving low-level employees of due tip wages in violation of state and federal labor laws,” joining Chris Cannon, Mario Batali, and David Bastianich, among others who have been served with similar suits.
Skinny celebs selling out for fatty fast food (The Stir)
The Stir calls out the rail-thin models and actresses who are willing to pretend they love the likes of heart-stopping Double Downs and mystery meat McRibs in the name of the almighty dollar. Oh, and they throw Charles Barkley under the bus, too.
Cleaning the henhouse (New York Times)
An honest look at the idea of raising your own chickens for egg production. Given the recent salmonella outbreak, no doubt due in part to the fact that 95% of egg-laying chickens in the United States are raised in unsanitary battery cages, no larger around than a single sheet of paper, homegrown eggs can be a great solution for those with the space.
Food in the News: 8/21–8/27
Aug 28th
It has been a busy week for me, starting to promote my upcoming Sriracha cookbook via Twitter (@SrirachaBook), and getting more and more serious with my second book, the details of which will be posted here on the blog as soon as they are finalized! I’ve also been trying to persuade all you nice folks to take a few precious seconds out of your day to vote for my Anthony Bourdain essay, “Opposable Thumbs Up”. (It only takes a few seconds, and you can vote for me EVERY day to help my chances of winning!)
While all this was happening, plenty of other stuff has been going on in the crazy world of food, and I’d like to take a minute to catch you all up!
Math Lessons for Locavores (The New York Times)
This Op-Ed piece by Stephen Budiansky caused quite a stir amongst bloggers and supporters of the local food movement. Some thoughtful rebuttals:
Math Lessons for Budiansky (The Ethicurean)
The Myth of the Rabid Locavore (The Huffington Post)
Eating Locally, and Other Victimless Crimes (Eyes Wide Stomach)
Wright Egg Recall–550 Million Reasons to Support Pasture-Based Farming (Animal Welfare Approved)
McDonald’s Burgers Don’t Age (GOOD Blog)
Two Foodies to Win John Lennon Peace Award (Slashfood)
Giving Students a Better School Lunch (The Los Angeles Times)
You Could Be Serving Eggs From Contaminated Farms in Iowa (The Arizona Republic)
Currently Reading:
A History of Beer and Brewing
Ian S. Hornsey
Wright Egg Recall–550 Million Reasons to Support Pasture-Based Farming
Burger With A Side of Statins?
Aug 14th
British scientists are recommending fast food chains serve a side of cholesterol-lowering drugs
Scientists from the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London have suggested that fast food restaurants supply their customers with cholesterol-lowering statin drugs alongside their heart-challenging meals. I wonder if salads are as scarce as IQ points in their neck of the woods. Do they really think this is the solution?
Senior author of the study, “Dr.” Darrel Francis states, “Statins don’t cut out all of the unhealthy effects of burgers and fries. It’s better to avoid fatty food altogether. But we’ve worked out that in terms of your likelihood of having a heart attack, taking a statin can reduce your risk to more or less the same degree as a fast food meal increases it.”
Am I the only one appalled by this? I mean, is there anyone, anywhere, nodding their head yes to this and hailing it as a scientific breakthrough or even as a good idea? I can only pray that this is some sort of deeply satirical suggestion that the American Journal of Cardiology decided to print in the hopes that it would wake somebody up out of their Whopper-induced nap and make them see the very real and very tangible dangers that fast food presents. Beyond being practically devoid of any nutritional value, it is extremely taxing to your body and your health. Read the rest of this entry »
