Since December 2009, our health system has come a long way, and is today more environment and health conscious. Here is a list of biggest food stories from 2010 that is worth going back to.

Sustainable Seafood

Awareness spread about the concept of sustainable food. People grew more and more concerned about their health and well being and opted for locally grown or sourced ingredients to make their food. This is especially true in the case of sea food. People became more aware of the Seafood Watch Guide and knew where to buy fresh fishes from. We learnt about hose fishes which are going extinct, like the blue fin tuna, which is used in making sushi. Genetically engineered salmon was also born this year, though it is yet to be approved.

Child Nutrition Upgrade

In school this year, kids were taught all about the evolution of food, where it came from, what they were made of and the likes. Children today are aware that chicken nuggets are made from chicken paste and ketchup is made from tomatoes. The budget of the Child Nutrition Act programme was also hiked in this year.

New York Cracks Down For Health

The New York Mayor’s office started cracking down o0n unhealthy food used in the restaurants and hotels across the country. Trans fats were banned, and New Yorkers had to nearly say bye to salt and bakes too.

Redefining Organic

It was only post February 2010, that the term 'organic' was taken seriously in the food industry. Until then, customers were not aware of what quality this guaranteed. It was then that the USDA released the new rules about the minimum time an animal should have access to pasture. This was stipulated at four months for a year, and 30 percent of their food had to be from this.

Cloned Meat Approved

Cloned meat got its approval in Britain and as there are no government labeling that distinguishes the original from the fake, one never knows what they are having.

Health vs. Industry Labeling

Amongst all the marketing gimmicks that one has seen in the past, the most astonishing was the nutritional labeling given in cereal boxes. But, the minute these hit the racks, health groups’ crackdown on them and with the help of the FDA forced the merchants to give more elaborate information about these claims. Still it is hard to believe that Rice Krispies can provide us with immunity.

Mass Recalls and Food Safety

United States of America updated and passed a Food Safety Bill after it was drafted 70 years ago. Prior to this, the government recalled half a billion eggs as they felt it was not fit for human consumption. The newly passed bill gives the FDA the power to recall without any tip-off from food producers.

Image Credit: umassdining.com