With so much attention being paid to San Francisco’s proposed law that would take the toys out of most kids meals, it’s easy to forget that the fast-food haters at the Center for Science In the Public Interest had given McDonald’s 30 days to remove toys from Happy Meals or face a lawsuit. That was back in June. Over 90 days ago. So what happened? [More]
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Does Olive Garden's Deep-Fried Lasagna Count As Food Porn?
By 10.1.10
So far, 2010 has been a big year for lasagna in the world of extreme food news. First, there was the 100-layer lasagna and then the outright unappetizing (at least to those of us who think cheddar has no right being within 3 feet of lasagna) lasagna sandwich. Now the occasionally over-cautious folks at the Center for Science in the Public Interest have labeled Olive Garden’s deep-fried Lasagna Fritta as “food porn.” [More]
Vitaminwater Isn't Healthy, Rules Federal Judge
By 7.24.10
A federal judge ruled this week that Vitaminwater will not, as its labels promise, keep you “healthy as a horse.” Nor will it bring about a “healthy state of physical or mental being”. Instead, Vitaminwater is really just a sugary snack food; non-carbonated fruit coke disguised as a sports drink. Because it’s composed mostly of sugar and not vitamin-laden water, judge John Gleeson held that Vitaminwater’s absurd marketing claims were likely to mislead consumers. [More]
McDonald's: We're Not Strangers In The Playground Handing Out Candy To Kids
By 7.8.10
A few weeks ago, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (aka Buzzkill Central) made headlines by threatening to file a lawsuit against McDonald’s if the fast foodies didn’t stop putting toys in their Happy Meals. Perhaps not surprisingly, the boys and girls at the Golden Arches aren’t exactly pleased with the news. [More]
CSPI Calls For Ban On Red 40, Yellows 5 and 6
By 7.1.10
One week after threatening to take the happy out of Happy Meals, the Center for Science in the Public Interest now wants to remove a few colors from the food dye rainbow, calling for the FDA to issue a ban on three colors it believes are bad for your health. [More]
CSPI Wants To Make Your McDonald's Happy Meal Sad
By 6.23.10
Perennial buzzkills at the Center for Science in the Public Interest have decided to set their sights on McDonald’s, issuing the fast food giant an ultimatum: Stop putting toys in their Happy Meals in the next 30 days or face a lawsuit. [More]
The 8 Worst Meals (And 1 Dessert) In America For 2010
By 5.25.10
Every year, the Center for Science In the Public Interest releases their Xtreme Eating Awards list, where they single out the most carb-heavy, fat-saturated, salt-laden calorie bombs available on the market. This year’s round-up of gut-busters covers everything from breakfast through dessert and contains some items that may surprise you. [More]
Food & Entertainment Industries Get Failing Grade For Pushing Unhealthy Snacks On Kids
By 3.10.10
The folks over at the Center for Science in the Public Interest recently took a look at how 128 different food and entertainment companies market food to kids. And, perhaps not surprisingly, they gave failing marks to 95 of them for having either weak policies for marketing food products to children or having none at all. [More]
Scientists Agree: Denny's Is Dangerous
By 7.25.09
Denny’s entrees are loaded with dangerous amounts of salt, according to a class action suit filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The CDC recommends consuming no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium each day, but some Denny’s entrees contain a whopping 5,500 milligrams.
A Medium Starbucks Coffee Has Over Four Times The Caffeine Of Red Bull, And Three More Caffeine Facts
By 8.13.08
The New York Times has a study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest on the health effects of caffeine. The study analyzes various claims made about caffeine, and it also offers a useful chart listing the caffeine content in typical drinks and foods. For instance, at 320 milligrams per 16 ounces, a Starbucks grande coffee has over four times the 80 milligrams of caffeine of a Red Bull.
Sara Lee "Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White Bread" Has More Water Than Whole Grain
By 12.18.07
The CPSI has announced its intention to sue Sara Lee over its “Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White Bread,” which claims to combine “all the taste and texture of white bread with the goodness of whole grain,” when actually “there is more water in this product than whole grain,” according to the CSPI.
Congress Set To Ban Soda, Junk Food From Schools
By 12.2.07
Snickers and Cokes would be a thing of the past at school cafeterias and vending machines if the Senate approves an ambitious amendment from Senators Harkin (D-IA) and Murkowsky (R-AK). The amendment to the Farm Bill would establish strict federal guidelines limiting the sale of deliciously unhealthy treats brimming with sugar, salt, and fat.
The nutrition standards would allow only plain bottled water and eight-ounce servings of fruit juice or plain or flavored low-fat milk with up to 170 calories to be sold in elementary and middle schools. High school students could also buy diet soda or, in places like school gyms, sports drinks. Other drinks with as many as 66 calories per eight ounces could be sold in high schools, but that threshold would drop to 25 calories per eight-ounce serving in five years.
Food Frauds: Special K Fruit & Yogurt And DanActive "Immunity" Drink
By 11.8.07
Food marketing is largely made up of lies, but everyone already knows that. The CSPI, however, likes to find foods that are especially fraudulent in their marketing claims. These made us laugh for some reason, so we thought we’d share them with you.
How Many Quarter Pounders From McDonald's Could You Eat Instead Of That Pasta?
By 10.31.07
The results:
Should Soda Makers Stop Marketing To Kids Under 16?
By 10.29.07
The Center For Science In The Public Interest (CSPI), and the International Association of Consumer Food Organizations (IACFO). have joined together to start the “Global Dump Soda” campaign.
Hypochondriacs Rejoice! CSPI Launches Foodbourne Illness Outbreak Database
By 9.19.07
Here’s a nifty little tool for you hypochondriacs, the CSPI has put together an easily browsable database of all the foodbourne illness outbreaks in the US! Did you know that lima beans caused an outbreak of Clostridium perfringens at an Illinois jail in 1996? Now you do!
Stephen Colbert Interviews Michael Jacobson, Executive Director Of The CSPI
By 8.24.07
The substance of the interview is that trans-fat is bad for you and should be replaced with oils that are less likely to make you die, but by far the best part is when Colbert says, “If you have popcorn you might as well just slap your children.”
Despite Ban, Fries From Burger King And Wendy's Still Contain Too Much Trans Fat
By 8.4.07
A report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest found that fries from Burger King and Wendy’s still contain too much trans fat, despite a recent ban imposed by New York City. The CSPI made the discovery after shuttling fries from Burger King, Wendy’s and McDonald’s to an independent lab. Tests showed that fries from both Burger King and Wendy’s contained more than 3 grams of trans fat per serving, compared to McDonald’s fries, which contained only 0.2 grams of trans fat per serving. The chains are not violating New York City’s ban on trans fat, yet.
