Eating a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, olive oil, legumes, fruit and vegetables is heart healthy, but expensive

Sticking to a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, olive oil, legumes, fruit and vegetables is heart healthy, but expensive, maybe even prohibitively so, new research from Spain hints.

Consequently, "upstream" measures -- such as taxes on unhealthy foods and/or subsidies on healthy foods -- may be needed to "increase the probability of adopting a healthy dietary pattern leading to better health and disease prevention among the population," Dr. Maira Bes-Rastrollo told Reuters Health.

The researcher, from the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Navarra, and colleagues studied the costs of Mediterranean and Western dietary patterns in more than 11,000 Spanish university graduates with a similar level of income. All of them were participating in a long term study launched in 1999 to assess ties between diet and obesity and long term health problems.

Their analysis revealed that the more closely these young adults adhered to the healthy Mediterranean diet, the more money they spent each day on food.

In contrast, the more closely they followed a "Western" diet - high in saturated fat, sugar, and red meat - the less money they shelled out each day on food.

This Spanish study, Bes-Rastrollo noted, shows that "a healthy Mediterranean dietary pattern is more expensive to follow than a Western dietary pattern and I am sure that the same study conducted in the United States would find the same results or even higher differences in costs between dietary patterns."

This "economic barrier" should be considered when counseling populations about following a healthy diet "because cost may be a prohibitive factor," she added.

The researchers also report that 31 percent of study subjects gained weight during the study - just over half a kilo, or 1.1 pounds, every year - and, after adjusting for factors likely to influence the results, people who spent the most on food were 20 percent more likely to gain weight, regardless of which dietary pattern they favored.

Those who had higher food bills tended to be older, were more likely to have quit smoking, tended to drink more calorie-laden fruit juice, soft drinks and alcohol and generally weighed more to begin with - suggesting that they were more prone to weight gain due to lifestyle or genetic factors, the researchers note.

SOURCE: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, September 2009.

Capico News of the Wek

Ginger & Molasses, Warm Spices & Pumpkin, Peppermint & Chocolate, Vanilla & Red Food Color and Nutmeg & Rum were the top flavors named to McCormick's Flavor Forecast 2009: Holiday Edition. Full Story

Teens indicated an increase in restaurant spending for the first time since fall 2007, according to the Fall 2009 "Taking Stock With Teens" survey published by Piper Jaffray. Taste is the leading influence dictating where teens dine, but value continues to be a critical factor in a challenging consumer environment. Teens named Starbucks the No. 1 restaurant. Full Story

Stater Bros. Holdings, Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets, completed the sale of Santee Dairies to Dean Foods. Full Story

Jelly Belly Candy Company launched MyBeanBoozled.com, a website that allows consumers to customize Jelly Belly products. Full Story

David Sax, author of "Save the Deli," highlighted various New York City delis, including Katz's, 2nd Ave. Deli and Gottlieb's, in an interview with The New York Post. Full Story

Cameron Mitchell, head of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, is planning to open a 10,000-sq. ft. fine dining restaurant in Dallas next month. Mr. Mitchell claims the recession is allowing for better deals on locations, and that restaurants that build up clientele now will prosper when the economy recovers, reported The Dallas Morning News. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Restaurant Roundup: Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is offering breakfast catering at all of its locations across the U.S. Full Story ... Carvel introduced cheesecake ice cream, featured in the following products: Hand-dipped Cheesecake Ice Cream; Vanilla & Black Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake; Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake; and Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae Dasher, reported QSR Magazine. Full Story

Amazon.com, Inc. launched "Local Express Delivery," a new shipping option giving customers same-day delivery in seven cities including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Seattle and Washington, DC. The service will be extended to Chicago, Indianapolis and Phoenix in the coming months. Full Story

Rita's Italian Ice began selling franchises in San Antonio, TX. A total of three locations will be open in Texas by the end of 2009, with 20 additional franchise agreements currently in development. All of Rita's new locations offer walk-in service, and all stores will be open year-round, reported QSR Magazine. Full Story

Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill will begin franchising its fast-casual restaurant concept. The chain currently has five stores in the Denver area and plans to open 10 more in the next 14 months, reported Denver Business Journal. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Flavors and ingredients company Frutarom Industries Ltd. launched new packaging and branding for its activities in 46 locations worldwide. Full Story


Ginger & Molasses, Warm Spices & Pumpkin, Peppermint & Chocolate, Vanilla & Red Food Color and Nutmeg & Rum were the top flavors named to McCormick's Flavor Forecast 2009: Holiday Edition. Full Story

Teens indicated an increase in restaurant spending for the first time since fall 2007, according to the Fall 2009 "Taking Stock With Teens" survey published by Piper Jaffray. Taste is the leading influence dictating where teens dine, but value continues to be a critical factor in a challenging consumer environment. Teens named Starbucks the No. 1 restaurant. Full Story

Stater Bros. Holdings, Inc.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Stater Bros. Markets, completed the sale of Santee Dairies to Dean Foods. Full Story


For Immediate Release: News from the Specialty Food Trade


As it celebrates its 25th anniversary, the Vermont Butter & Cheese Company introduces a new name, Vermont Butter & Cheese Creamery, and new packaging. Full Release



Jelly Belly Candy Company launched MyBeanBoozled.com, a website that allows consumers to customize Jelly Belly products. Full Story

David Sax, author of "Save the Deli," highlighted various New York City delis, including Katz's, 2nd Ave. Deli and Gottlieb's, in an interview with The New York Post. Full Story

Cameron Mitchell, head of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, is planning to open a 10,000-sq. ft. fine dining restaurant in Dallas next month. Mr. Mitchell claims the recession is allowing for better deals on locations, and that restaurants that build up clientele now will prosper when the economy recovers, reported The Dallas Morning News. Full Story (Free Registration Required)


For Immediate Release: News from the Specialty Food Trade


Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods, Inc., Fredericksburg, Texas, took top honors for its Smokey Chipotle Chile Ketchup at this year's Fiery Food Challenge, a competition sponsored by Chile Pepper magazine. Full Release



Restaurant Roundup: Salsarita's Fresh Cantina is offering breakfast catering at all of its locations across the U.S. Full Story ... Carvel introduced cheesecake ice cream, featured in the following products: Hand-dipped Cheesecake Ice Cream; Vanilla & Black Cherry Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake; Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream Cake; and Strawberry Cheesecake Sundae Dasher, reported QSR Magazine. Full Story

Amazon.com, Inc. launched "Local Express Delivery," a new shipping option giving customers same-day delivery in seven cities including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Seattle and Washington, DC. The service will be extended to Chicago, Indianapolis and Phoenix in the coming months. Full Story

Rita's Italian Ice began selling franchises in San Antonio, TX. A total of three locations will be open in Texas by the end of 2009, with 20 additional franchise agreements currently in development. All of Rita's new locations offer walk-in service, and all stores will be open year-round, reported QSR Magazine. Full Story


For Immediate Release: News from the Specialty Food Trade


New Leaf Brands, Orangeburg, N.Y., will sponsor a participating team in the Multiple Sclerosis/Tappan Zee Bike Ride taking place this Sunday, October 18, in Tarrytown, N.Y. Full Release



Garbanzo Mediterranean Grill will begin franchising its fast-casual restaurant concept. The chain currently has five stores in the Denver area and plans to open 10 more in the next 14 months, reported Denver Business Journal. Full Story (Free Registration Required)

Flavors and ingredients company Frutarom Industries Ltd. launched new packaging and branding for its activities in 46 locations worldwide. Full Story



Anheuser-Busch InBev and CVC Capital Partners signed a definitive agreement under which Anheuser-Busch InBev will sell its Central European operations to CVC for approximately $2.2 billion and additional rights to a future payment estimated at $800 million. Full Story

Florida Department of Environmental Protection is proposing a five-year phaseout of disposable plastic and paper bags during which escalating fees, starting at a nickel a bag, would be imposed whenever such bags were used. Items exempt from the proposed ban would include food wrappers, such as bags for produce and sub sandwiches, carryout containers, tissue, bubble wrap used to cushion delicate items, and newspaper bags. Florida Legislature's could consider the proposal as early as next year's spring session, reported South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Full Story

The supermarket industry has a ways to go in terms of improving its image

The supermarket industry has a ways to go in terms of improving its image to attract new workers, according to panelists Tuesday at Food Marketing Institute's Future Connect leadership development conference here.

"People think our industry is simple [because it appears that way to consumers], but we need to get people to understand how broad this industry really is," said Don McGeorge, the recently retired president of Kroger Co., Cincinnati, citing the broad range of functions performed at supermarket companies, from purchasing to logistics and technology.

Janel Haugarth, executive vice president at Supervalu, Minneapolis, said the supermarket industry "is probably the worst at self-promotion."

"We are an undiscovered great secret," she said. She said Supervalu has been trying to improve advancement opportunities at the company using a web portal to help guide workers through career paths.

"We also need to go back to colleges and universities and tell our story," she added.

Leafy Greens, Eggs, & Tuna Top List of Riskiest FDA-Regulated Foods

Leafy greens, eggs, and tuna are on the top of a list of the 10 riskiest foods regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Those and seven other foods account for nearly 40 percent of all foodborne outbreaks linked to FDA-regulated food. That's no reason to forgo the occasional salad Niçoise, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which authored the report, nor need one pass up tomatoes, sprouts, and berries, even though those foods are also on the list. But the nonprofit watchdog group says the presence of so many healthy foods on such a list is exactly why the United States Senate should follow the House and pass legislation that reforms our fossilized food safety laws.

The FDA is responsible for regulating produce, seafood, egg and dairy products, as well as typical packaged foods such as cookie dough and peanut butter—nearly 80 percent of the food supply. More than 1,500 separate, definable outbreaks were associated with the top 10 riskiest FDA-regulated foods, causing nearly 50,000 reported illnesses. Since most foodborne illnesses are never reported, these outbreaks are only the tip of a large, hulking iceberg.

"Outbreaks give the best evidence of where and when the food safety system is failing to protect the public," said CSPI staff attorney Sarah Klein, the lead author of the report. "It is clearly time for FDA's reliance on industry self-regulation to come to an end. The absence of safety plans or frequent inspections unfortunately means that some of our favorite and most healthful foods also top the list of the most risky."

CSPI identified 363 outbreaks linked to iceberg lettuce, romaine, spinach, and other leafy greens, variously contaminated with E. coli, Norovirus, or Salmonella, and causing 13,568 cases of illness. Manure, contaminated irrigation water, or poor handling practices are all possible culprits in those outbreaks. The FDA does not currently require farms and processors to have written food safety plans, nor does it provide specific safety standards for even the largest growers to meet.

Eggs were linked 352 outbreaks and 11,163 illnesses; tuna to 268 outbreaks and 2,341 cases of illness, and oysters—despite their limited consumption—to 132 outbreaks causing 3,409 illnesses. Outbreaks involving potatoes don’t seem to make headlines, but nevertheless they are linked to 108 outbreaks and 3,659 cases of illness. Cheese, ice cream, tomatoes, sprouts, and berries round out the top 10 list. The data come from CSPI's Outbreak Alert! Database, which includes outbreaks from 1990 to 2006, using data collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources.

In July, the House of Representatives passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act with broad, bipartisan support. That measure would give FDA authority to require food processors to design and implement food safety plans, provide specific safety standards that growers would have to meet, and require FDA to visit high-risk facilities every 12 months or less, and most other facilities every 3-4 years. In the Senate, similar legislation, sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), is pending.

"As consumers, we don't have the power to check on these products," said Kathleen Chrismer, whose 9-year-old daughter Rylee Gustafson was hospitalized for a month after becoming seriously ill from eating spinach salad contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. "Without a better system to protect us, we are totally at the mercy of the next outbreak."