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“Farm security is national security,” declared U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, as she unveiled a sweeping National Farm Security Action Plan at a press conference on July 8, 2025. Flanked by Trump adviser Peter Navarro, several governors, and key Cabinet officials, Rollins rolled out the most aggressive federal effort in decades to curb foreign ownership of U.S. farmland and shield the agricultural sector from national-security threats, particularly those posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).The USDA’s announcement follows a February 2025 directive from President Trump, who ordered the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)...

While sourdough might seem like just another type of bread you can make or buy, it actually used to be one of the only options. Until the development of commercial yeasts in the 1800s, sourdough, made with naturally occurring yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, was the main type of leavened bread consumed worldwide. Sourdough undergoes natural fermentation rather than relying on additives found in baker's yeast. This means that, compared to other breads, it is easier to digest, has a less significant impact on blood sugar, and is potentially more nutritious. 1. It's Easier to Digest The fermentation process used...

A beloved restaurant in California, that claims the invention of an iconic Los Angeles staple, has announced it will close its doors for good after 117 years as rampant crime continues to wreck havoc in LA. Cole's French Dip, inventor of the French Dip Sandwich, announced it will permanently close on August 3 due to the rampant crime in the area that has been felt by businesses throughout LA. 'After exhaustive deliberation and numerous attempts at last ditch efforts, our beloved Los Angeles institution, Cole's, Originators of the French Dip, has made the difficult decision to close its doors,' a...

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins revealed that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out the National Farm Security Action Plan, which will “promote agricultural prosperity” and “defend the foundations of agriculture” and strengthen the U.S. domestic food supply. During a virtual pen & pad event on Monday evening, ahead of a press conference on Tuesday, Rollins explained that the plan includes “seven key action items.” One of the key action items focused on “securing and protecting the American farmland,” while another key point focused on “rooting out fraud, abuse, and foreign adversaries” that were posing a threat...

France’s food safety agency found that glass-bottled drinks, such as iced tea, lemonade, and beer, exhibited some of the highest contamination levels.-A French food safety agency study found that drinks in glass bottles contained more microplastic particles per liter than those in plastic bottles or cans. -The researchers traced the microplastics to the exterior paint on plastic-sealed caps, which released particles into the drink. -Despite being bottled in glass, both water and wine showed fewer microplastics, although the researchers couldn’t determine exactly why. The evidence showing the harmful effects of microplastics is building up. Study after study shows that microplastics...

Synopsis A comprehensive analysis of global dietary studies reveals that even minimal consumption of processed meat elevates the risk of type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and ischemic heart disease. Researchers found no safe threshold for processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats. Experts advocate for a balanced approach, emphasizing moderation and increased intake of beneficial foods for long-term health. ================================================================== A new analysis of global dietary studies has found compelling evidence that even small amounts of processed meat may raise the risk of serious chronic diseases. According to researchers, there is no "safe amount" of processed meat consumption when it...

Wild orcas, also known as Killer whales, have been spotted offering food to humans in unusual interactions recorded over the past 20 years, according to a new study that has scientists searching for answers. The findings, published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, describe 34 confirmed cases where orcas voluntarily approached humans and dropped sea creatures near them. These offerings included fish, seabirds, stingrays, whale parts, seaweed, and even a turtle. Most interactions were observed off the coasts of California, Norway, and New Zealand. The orcas often paused after delivering the prey, as if watching to see how people would...

Americans have one more reason to celebrate this Fourth of July: getting all the gear needed to host a pool party costs less than it has in years, according to a market research company's preliminary data. The total price to buy beach towels, a beverage cooler, bathing suits and other accoutrements of summer fun averaged $858 in June, the lowest amount for the month since 2020, consumer data provider Numerator said in an analysis prepared for The Associated Press. The finding from the firm's seasonal snapshot comports with broader economic measures indicating that U.S. consumers so far have not seen...

Del Monte Foods, the 138-year-old company best known for its canned fruits and vegetables, has filed for bankruptcy and is looking for a buyer. Late Tuesday, the company announced it was voluntarily entering Chapter 11 and is going through a sale process for all of its assets. Among the company’s product lines are a number of well-known kitchen staples, including College Inn broths and Contadina canned tomatoes, as well as its flagship Del Monte brand. “After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create...

Ever wondered why exactly a Salisbury steak tastes so different from a hamburger patty, even though they kind of appear to be the same thing? While each of these classic dishes can be delicious in their own right, typically, a hamburger patty is simply a formed patty made of beef. Depending on the cook, a hamburger patty may be seasoned with a little salt and pepper, or might just be a straight-up, unseasoned piece of formed ground beef. Salisbury steak, however, is more than just a bun-less hamburger. Created by Dr. James H. Salisbury at the end of the 19th...

Abstract: Here are two commonly held moral views. First, we must save strangers’ lives, at least if we can do so easily: you would be required to rescue a child drowning in a pond even if it will ruin your expensive suit. Second, it is wrong to eat meat because of the suffering caused to animals in factory farms. Many accept both simultaneously—Peter Singer is the pre-eminent example. I point out that these two beliefs are in a sharp and seemingly unrecognised tension and may even be incompatible. It seems universally accepted that doing or allowing a harm is permissible—and...

Supermarkets will reportedly be required to make significant changes to their stores as part of a government crackdown on obesity. The Government plans to introduce a health food standard for supermarkets to make the average shopping basket 'slightly healthier' and ease pressure on the NHS. Public health experts say that cutting 50 calories a day would lift 340,000 children and 2 million adults out of obesity, which is one of the root causes of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Major supermarkets will have to report on healthy food sales and 'increase the healthiness of sales in communities across the UK',...

Del Monte Foods, whose canned vegetables and fruit have long been a staple on grocery store shelves, announced Monday that it has filed for bankruptcy and will seek a buyer. The nearly 140-year-old company is entering Chapter 11 proceedings as part of a restructuring support agreement (RSA) with its lenders. "After a thorough evaluation of all available options, we determined a court-supervised sale process is the most effective way to accelerate our turnaround and create a stronger and enduring Del Monte Foods," Greg Longstreet, president and CEO of Del Monte Foods, said in a statement. Del Monte did not immediately...

What is Vegan? A vegan diet is a strict form of plant-based eating that excludes all animal products and by-products, such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and honey. Some products, such as refined sugars and gelatins, are excluded due to the use of animal products during processing. Vegans rely on plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, to meet their nutritional needs. Common motivations for adopting a vegan lifestyle include ethical concerns about animal welfare, a desire to reduce environmental impact, and the pursuit of health benefits associated with a plant-based diet. What is a Vegetarian?...

The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack the...

Tel Aviv — The head of the United Nations agency supporting Palestinian refugees has condemned a controversial U.S. and Israeli-backed humanitarian organization operating in Gaza, calling it "an abomination" and "a death trap costing more lives than it saves." The statement from Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general for UNRWA, criticizing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) came as the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health said 79 people had been killed in the Palestinian territory over the previous 24 hours, 51 of whom it said had died near GHF sites. "There is no food. The people have starved to death, and nobody gives...

Two additional food companies said they would eliminate artificial colors from their products. “Glad to see more companies like @Nestle and @ConagraBrands taking action to remove artificial dyes from their foods. I urge other companies to step up and help us Make America Healthy Again,” Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. CBS News reports: It’s the latest big food company making that pledge. Last week, Kraft Heinz and General Mills said they would remove artificial dyes from their U.S. products by 2027. General Mills also said it plans to remove artificial dyes from its U.S....

Kroger shoppers, take note: Your beloved neighborhood grocery store may not be there much longer. One of America's largest grocery chains just announced it plans to close around 60 stores across the U.S. over the next 18 months, citing "modest financial benefits" in its latest earnings report. Kroger, which currently operates nearly 1,239 grocery stores in 16 states under two dozen different brand names, has been in hot water over the past six months after attempting a $25 billion merger with rival Albertsons. Government regulators denied the deal over antitrust concerns, and now, Albertsons is suing Kroger—and vice versa—in a...

Patients with colon cancer who consumed an anti-inflammatory diet during a Phase III clinical trial showed longer overall survival post-treatment compared to those on a proinflammatory diet, according to analysis. Engaging in higher levels of physical activity may amplify the positive influence on survival. The median 5-year survival for patients with stage III colon cancer is around 80%. The CALGB/SWOG 80702 (Alliance) trial was initiated in 2010 to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence. Patients in the trial were treated with surgery followed by either three or six months of chemotherapy, with or without celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug. Of 2,526...

A new genome mapping model uncovered 62 key trait loci in bananas, overcoming chromosomal barriers and aiding future crop improvement across complex plant genomes. Bananas are a dietary staple for millions of people, but their cultivation faces serious threats due to limited genetic diversity and significant breeding challenges. In a major scientific breakthrough, researchers examined more than 2,700 triploid banana hybrids to uncover the genetic basis of 24 important traits related to yield, plant structure, and fruit quality. By using a high-resolution SNP dataset along with an adapted genome-wide association study (GWAS) model, the team identified 62 genomic regions associated...