Ramen Shop in Ueno

I have never eaten here, but have walked past it possibly hundreds to times. It is in such a crowded location that I usually just want to keep walking. Interesting though.

Tully's 13th Anniversary Special T's Shake

I took this photo on September 6th, so it was one day out of date. Tully's celebrated its 13th anniversary in Japan by offering special shakes called T's Shake - honey/espresso, creamy mango, and vanilla milk tea.

Excelsior Caffe's Premium Frozen Mango Passion and Yogurt

Excelsior Caffe (a Japanese Starbucks competitor) is currently featuring Premium Frozen as Mango Passion and Yogurt. There is a latte flavor Premium Frozen on the regular menu. The prices for the small, medium and large sizes are 380, 430 and 480 yen, which makes it one of the group of most expensive offerings.

Asahi in the Market for Asian Acquisitions

Asahi Breweries may buy food, alcohol companies in Asia-Pacific
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20100422n4.html

The Japan Times reports that Asahi will be shopping around Asia for companies to acquire.
The fact the three big alcohol companies are looking to expand outside Japan has been big news in the food industry for several years now.
Kirin has been the most aggressive and apparently the most profitable so far with major acquisitions in Australia and the Phillipines.

Dairy and Health - Positive Correlation

Lipids DOI 10.1007/s11745-010-3412-5 (pre-print)
The Consumption of Milk and Dairy Foods and the Incidence of Vascular Disease and Diabetes: An Overview of the Evidence
http://springerlink.com/content/k2475344067821um/?p=3556e9a1e78d4708919a3420b95f18df&pi=1

Here is an meta-analysis which hits at the heart of intermediate markers vs evidence based outcomes.
People avoid dairy because of high fat content and cholesterol, but the evidence actually points the other way.
High (full fat) dairy consumption is actually correlated with lower rates of all-cause deaths, ischaemic heart disease, stroke and for incident diabetes.

I am not a big fan of meta-analysis, but in cases like this it provides the best/only data.
Milk is such a complex substance that it is likely the beneficial effects of milk peptides, etc. might overwhelm any negative effects.

Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States

The Institute of Medicine (IOM, National Academy of Sciences) released a report which has gotten a lot of news coverage.
Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Strategies-to-Reduce-Sodium-Intake-in-the-United-States.aspx

This report proposes intervention by the FDA.

Washington Post article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/19/AR2010041905049_pf.html
USA Today article
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2010-04-20-fda-salt-cutback_N.htm?

The FDA hurriedly replied that it has no plans to regulate salt at this time.
They are no doubt reluctant to take the lead.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm209155.htm

I don't know how it could be done fairly to all those concerned, but I feel strongly this would be the only way to reduce salt levels.
No food company wants to go at it alone, because customers will just buy an alternative.

There is a strong sentiment in the US against any "big brother" measures, so this will not be easy by any means.

The Truth About Grass-Fed Beef

NPR ran and interesting report comparing corn fed to grass fed beef. There is also a video for streaming.
Link

Results:
corn fed beef - better taste and cheaper
grass fed beef - likely healthier due to the omega-3 fatty acids

Look at the comments and you will see most people ignore the point of the piece and want NPR to automatically condemn corn fed beef on environmental grounds.

UK Inquiry Clears Climate Scientists in Email Row

Skeptics will not be persuaded by any amount of information, so I suppose they will still try to read what they want into the e-mails.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=uk-clears-climate-scientists

Britons eating fewer veg despite 5-a-day campaign

Interesting.
Spend money on 5-a-day in the UK and people eat fewer vegetables.

Japan has copied the 3-a-day dairy campaign from the US, and dairy consumption continues to fall.

I would like to know the figures for the US campaign, also. Has such a campaign ever worked?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20100409/tuk-britons-eating-fewer-veg-despite-5-a-dba1618.html

Humane Society of the US takes a Hit

There is an ongoing battle between animal farmers and animal welfare societies. Lots of accusations and secret video taping.
Animal welfare victories prompt farmers' PR moves - USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2009-12-25-farm-animals_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Now there are reports that one of the most vocal animal welfare groups, the Humane Society of the U.S., actually gives less than 1 percent of the money it takes in to animal shelters, which is where most donors likely think their money is going. Money going to the executive pension fund is 3 times that.

Humane Society of U.S. downgraded - Dairy Herd Management
http://www.dairyherd.com/news_editorial.asp?pgID=675&ed_id=10971&news_id=27301&ts=nl1

Looks like both animal farmers and the Humane Society of the U.S. need to clean up some of their practices.

More from groups which oppose perceived abuses of non-profits:
HumaneWatch.org
http://HumaneWatch.org

The Center for Consumer Freedom
http://www.consumerfreedom.com/pressRelease_detail.cfm/r/313-no-april-fools-joke-hsus-shares-less-than-one-percent-of-donations-with-pet-shelters