In The News

Why Russia Is So Afraid of French Cheese

Brian Whitmore September 1, 2015
Russia is becoming a case study in pitting people who enjoy being told what to do, in the name of nationalism, against those who pursue their own preferences. The government, in what some call an attempt to back away from modern globalization, suggests that foreign foods pose a strategic danger. Neighbors report on neighbors for enjoying imported cheeses, fruits and meats. “The food snitches and...

Trouble Brews for “Imported” Beers Made in America

Jacob Gershman and Tripp Mickle July 9, 2015
Multinational companies took note that American consumers appreciated foreign autos manufactured in the United States. “Brewers like AB InBev shifted production of imports to the U.S. after foreign auto makers did the same in recent years without losing prestige or the ‘import’ label for brands like BMW and Mercedes,” notes a report in the Wall Street Journal, adding that sales of import beers...

The War on Big Food

Beth Kowitt May 27, 2015
Global consumers are picky eaters, examining labels and prompting food manufacturers to reassess what goes into their products. “The idea of ‘processing’ – from ancient techniques of salting and curing to the modern arsenal of artificial preservatives – arose to make sure the food we ate didn’t make us sick,” explains Beth Kowitt for Fortune. “Today many fear that it’s the processed food itself...

The World’s Drinking Problem

May 19, 2015
Widespread alcohol abuse is disruptive for economies, suggests a report from the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development. Alcohol consumption and related health issues rise with increased wealth, and China and emerging economies are wrestling with growing alcohol consumption: “While more than half of the Chinese population aged 15 years and older do not drink at all, 42 percent of...

California Drought: Almond Growers Fight Back Over Reports They Are Causing Chronic Water Shortages

Tim Walker May 15, 2015
The almond – and popular products like almond milk and almond butter – have become a target of austerity measure as California officials scramble for ways to conserve water and ease the state’s severe drought. Tim Walker reports for the Independent: “California grows 80 per cent of the world’s almonds, but it is two other widely reported statistics that have caused controversy: cultivating a...

Move Over, France – Here Comes China

Wei Gu May 15, 2015
China is shaping tastes in wine as both consumer and supplier. “China has edged ahead of France in the amount of land devoted to vineyards, according to the International Vine and Wine Organization, although France still produces more than four times the volume of wine that China does,” reports Wei Gu for the Wall Street Journal. Spain ranks first in land devoted to vineyards. For now, the world...

4 Foods That Are Eating the World’s Forests and How to Choose Better

Kate Good March 11, 2015
Modern farming techniques, relied upon for a growing population that is also wealthier, can be hard on the environment. “Where traditional agriculture favors growing a diverse set of crops and rotating them according to soil needs, our current system of food production is centered around monoculture crops that rely on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow,” notes Kate Good writing in One...