Food Science in the News: Taco Bell, Transparency, and Trehalose

I hate the "don't eat it if you can't pronounce it" mentality. I took organic chemistry, I can pronounce some pretty terrible chemicals just fine, but I have trouble saying "quinoa" and "acai" correctly. Oh sure, I'm not your typical consumer, but like most consumers I do favor greater transparency into what I may choose to consume.

This increasing consumer demand for transparency is why I applaud Taco Bell's emphasis on providing nutrition and ingredient information on their website.

Taco Bell Nutrition Information

When it comes to transparency about what's in their meat, the full story is best reported by Food Business News:
Taco Bell, trehalose and the trend of transparency, by Monica Watrous

Taco Bell Nutrition FAQs

Visit the Taco Bell Nutrition page and see for yourself how much information is readily available. Click here--> The More You Know, The More You Live Mas?

MORE INFORMATION ON TREHALOSE:
(1) Use in one of my favorite products; (2) PubMed Trehalose review of properties, history of use and human tolerance, and results of multiple safety studies; (3) Food Science of Trehalose by Cargill: Chemistry, Functional Benefits, Labeling, Regulatory Info and Nutritional Benefits

OTHER TACO BELL "FOOD SCIENCE IN THE NEWS" STORIES:
The Power of Protein

Why do we fall? NFL Perspective

"If gymnastics was easier, they'd call it football." During the NFL Draft, I enjoyed watching the footage of all the drills and conditioning college and pro-football players go through, but can't help thinking of all that gymnasts put their bodies through. For perspective. GreenEyedGuide.com

Elite Gymnastics- Why do we fall?: http://youtu.be/n4ihPazJFrQ

Energy Drink of the Month -- May 2014

It just stopped snowing in Wisconsin a few days ago but somehow I've already missed all the swimsuit sales. Headed to Florida for a 3-day weekend (which is as close as I'll get to Spring Break in Grown-Up Land) and forced to fork over more than I intended for a nice swimsuit, I was looking for a bargain wherever I could. I found it at 7-11 where, aside from my pre-flight protein shake, I found a collection of tropical-looking energy drinks that were 10 for $10! Colorful, affordable, low-cal and, better yet, they passed the Food Scientist Label Inspection (meaning they actually had substance and not just amateur combinations of caffeine and sugar) – SOLD!

The Energy Drink of the Month for May 2014 is vitaminwater® energy beverage Berry Punch.

READ MORE (click here): 3 Pros and Cons of vitaminwater® energy drink - from a Food Science, Product Development and Quality Perspective

John Oliver and Pom vs Coke Legal Battles

This is HILARIOUS! ESPECIALLY if you're in the food business and have been following these lawsuits and news stories (which are real).

John Oliver on Misleading Labeling of Food Products: http://youtu.be/_JLxHgsEjzw