Many fast food wrappers still coated in PFCs, kin to carcinogenic Teflon chemical

The Environmental Working Group tested 327 food wrappers, bags and boxes from 27 restaurant chains for chemicals that are potentially harmful. Forty percent of them contained traces of flourine; some also showed traces of the former Teflon chemical PFOA. Many also contained the next generation of grease-resistant substances called perfluorinated chemicals (or PFC), which EWG says have not been adequately tested for safety. Read more at EWG...

i-Health bolsters probiotic lineup with UP4 acquisition

UAS Laboratories has agreed to sell probiotic brand UP4 to Royal DSM subsidiary i-Health, Drug Store News reports, adding to i-Health's presence in the probiotics with its existing Culturelle brand. Read more at Drug Store News...

ShopRite releases organic private label

Wholesome Pantry is the new private label line from ShopRite that includes organic and free-from snacks, meats, frozen, dairy and produce products. Read more at North Jersey...

Organic growers differ on transitional certification

The transitional organic certification recently approved by the USDA has been hailed as a sure way to encourage farmers to move toward organic practices. But some longtime organic growers have expressed a few concerns, like whether another label would be confusing to consumers. Read more at Capital Press...

Meet the startup churning a profit from ghee, a better for you butter

Ghee, a staple in Indian cooking that dates back thousands of years, is gaining in popularity in the U.S., thanks to a resurgence in time-tested ingredients and a better understanding among consumers that not all fats are bad. Fourth & Heart is doing its part to make it more approachable to American consumers by infusing it with famliiar flavors, like Himalayan Pink Salt and Madagascar Vanilla Bean, and has plans to roll out new products this spring. Read more at Forbes...