Anderson tried a seasonal offering at Panera, the Roasted Turkey and Cranberry sandwich. The promotional photos made it look appetizing, but the sandwich that ended up on Anderson’s plate wasn’t. We know that speed is really important at Panera, and maybe this is just a hastily-assembled meal. Anderson decided to throw it away, leave the Panera, and then complain online. This plan was somewhat flawed. [More]
food
Why 'Antibiotic-Free' Meat Doesn't Mean What You Think It Does
By 8.30.12
Antibiotic-resistant infections are a serious and scary threat to public health. One reason why devious bacteria are evolving to resist antibiotics is the widespread overuse of them in both humans and in animals. A Center for Science in the Public Interest analysis of Food and Drug Administration data shows that 80% of all antibiotics administered are to animals, and not to help them get better when they’re ill. Meat and dairy producers give low doses to the critters in their care in order to prevent illness, and sometimes to promote faster growth. [More]
Don't Get Yourself Sick: Common Unhealthy Food Prep & Kitchen Mistakes To Avoid
By 8.30.12
Food poisoning is never fun, and it’s even worse when the comestible in question could’ve come from your own kitchen and can’t be blamed on the neverending buffet at the strip mall. When it comes to home food preparation, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. We’re lucky enough to have a few tips to pass on from our smart siblings over at ShopSmart magazine on how to keep your kitchen devoid of anything that will lead to feeling like you’ll never, ever eat food again. [More]
I Want My Trans Fats Back: Consumerist Readers Speak Out About Recipe Changes
By 8.10.12
Last week, we asked you, the members of the Consumerist Hive Mind, what prepared food items you’ve abandoned or fallen out of love with due to a recipe or ingredient change. What we learned from reading the responses: Consumerist readers love their junk food almost as much as Consumerist editors do. [More]
July 4th Holiday Open Thread: Foods Of Summer
By 7.3.12
Happy impending holiday! We at Consumerist HQ are taking the next two days off to eat inadvisable things, because fireworks are illegal in the jurisdictions where 75% of our staffers live, and we have to have fun somehow. So “somehow” involves bacon. Anyway, that made us think: what are your favorite summer foods, either at home or for sharing at picnics and other gatherings? Feel free to swap recipes in this open thread, or just discuss anything else that’s on your mind. [More]
Does 'No Outside Food' Discriminate Against People With Food Allergies?
By 4.26.12
Domenica is gluten intolerant, and there are a number of other foods she can’t eat as well. During a recent visit to the movies, she was caught bringing in outside food and argued with the manager. There isn’t anything available at the concession stand that she can eat without becoming ill. Sure, a private business can set their own rules. But is it discriminatory? In spite of what theater owners might tell you, buying snacks at the cinema isn’t mandatory, and no one’s going to go hungry after a few hours. [More]
When To Toss Your Old Ketchup And Mayo
By 4.24.12
I recently got a new refrigerator, and everyone knows what that means: the biennial excavating of the ancient condiments. How old is this salsa? How did I end up with three bottles of ketchup? And so on. Today, though, I learned that my standards have been woefully lax when deciding which condiments to keep around and which to toss. [More]
Beaver Anal Gland Sacs & Other Weird Stuff You've Probably Eaten
By 4.12.12
All the talk about “pink slime” had us wondering, “What other weird things have we been eating?!” While the answers provided by the foodies at Consumer Reports often didn’t come with illustrative names such as pink slime, it did leave us a better bit informed — and a lot less hungry! [More]
Ways Restaurants Try To Squeeze More Money Out Of You
By 3.27.12
When you sit down at a restaurant, you’re often engaging in a tug-of-war with the establishment to get you to fork over more money than you originally planned. Owners employ clever little tricks to get you to up the amount of your final check. [More]
Study: Eat White Rice, Up Your Risk Of Suffering Type 2 Diabetes
By 3.19.12
If you’re concerned about contracting type 2 diabetes, you may want to consider laying off white rice. That’s according to Harvard School of Public Health researchers, who released a study that collected data from loads of other research to posit that people whose diets rely on white rice tend to be more at risk of being diagnosed with the condition. [More]
3 Foods You Probably Haven't Considered Making With An Oven
By 3.9.12
Ovens don’t get enough credit for their multitasking capabilities. They can handle several cooking tasks you might automatically assign to the microwave or stove, and can streamline your cooking process while also possibly improving its taste. [More]
Avoid The Microwave For More Appealing Leftovers
By 2.21.12
One of the best ways to save money on food is to eat everything you prepare rather than trashing your leftovers and moving on. The drawback to eating the archives is that most of the time they won’t taste as good as they did the first time. Microwaves and toaster ovens tend to dry food out and alter its texture. [More]
That Free Pizza Will Be $1.49 Plus Tax, Tip, And Delivery, Please
By 2.16.12
There is no such thing as a free pizza. Alisha knows this, and she’s bright enough to know that the courtesy coupon for a “free” pizza from Papa John’s would not, in fact, result in a pizza showing up on her doorstep without any money changing hands. She just didn’t expect to be charged $1.49 for the free item. “Silly Alisha, that’s the delivery fee!” you might say. No. It’s not. She had to pay sales tax and the delivery fee as well. [More]
Packaging Vs. Reality: Kraft Macaroni And Cheese Cups
By 2.9.12
Jay is smart, and knows that packaged food never quite turns out the way it looks on the box. It’s not physically possible. But he was surprised, when cooking a pre-packaged cup of Kraft macaroni and cheese from Costco, that the quantity of food-like substance in the cup didn’t really measure up to what was shown on the box. Is he overreacting, or is this really an unrealistic portrayal of the food product within? [More]
Reasons To Eat Orange Peels Rather Than Trash Them
By 1.23.12
Orange-eaters who dismiss the peels in favor of the good stuff within are missing out on some considerable bonus health benefits. Peels may not taste as good as slices, but there are reasons to get tough and gobble them up rather than throw them away. [More]
It's OK To Salvage Moldy Cheese, Except When It Isn't
By 1.16.12
Some frugal practices cross the invisible line of self-destruction. Take moldy cheese. Or leave it. Some conventional wisdom dictates you should throw out the entire block if you spot any nastiness, while many foodies will tell you you’re OK if you amputate the moldy part. Either school of thought can be correct, depending on the cheese. [More]
Make These Party Snacks To Avoid Plumping Up Over The Holidays
By 11.21.11
When it comes to holiday parties, willpower is a non-starter because it’s just about impossible to attend one without stuffing your face constantly. To avoid gaining weight, your choices are to stay home or try to stick to relatively low-calorie options. Sometimes you find yourself at events stocked only with belly-busters, but you’ve got more control when you’re hosting or contributing to the spread. [More]
Report: More Consumers Want Food That Tastes Good
By 11.18.11
Market research firm Technomic is out with its 2011 Consumer Flavor Report, and one finding is that 53% of consumers say “new and unique flavors” drive their decisions on where to eat, compared to just 42% in 2009. The report’s authors say that “craveability and culinary expertise [are] increasingly relevant to consumers, many of whom say they are more interested in experiencing new flavors as they dine out.” [More]
