5@5: How Big Food influenced the new dietary guidelines | Roadblocks to organic oatmilk

Questions remain about Big Food's influence on the new dietary guidelines

The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which influence policymakers and educators alike, largely failed to incorporate any of the expert suggestions made by the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee when they were released in December. Why, you ask? A story old as time: subtle corporate influence. As Civil Eats puts it, "Prohibiting industry and trade groups from nominating participants to the advisory committee, establishing a more transparent process around the committee members’ disclosure of financial and industry ties—including speaking fees and research funding—could change the outcome ... But all that only makes a difference if the officials at HHS and USDA, who determine the final guidelines, are also free of industry ties."

Why are there few organic oatmilks?

Only a handful of oatmilk brands have achieved USDA organic status, which is surprising considering how many studies have demonstrated a high glyphsate content in conventionally grown oats. What it comes down to is slow growth in terms of organic farming acreage that hasn't kept up with growing consumer interest and demand. As a result of this relative scarcity, many popular oatmilk brands have opted to do third-party testing for glyphosate content. Head to Forbes for more details.

Online shoppers accidentally buy too much

At-home cooks are getting creative with botched grocery deliveries (think 200 lemons instead of 20) by trying out new recipes and sharing the results with their communities. The Wall Street Journal explains how the online ordering audience now consists of all age ranges and levels of technology savvy—likely the predominant driver behind many of these excessive orders—as the need to stock up on staples with minimal human interaction persists.

Just 2% of US teens eat recommended amount of vegetables

A new government survey shows that only 2% of U.S. teens are getting their recommended daily dose of vegetables. Fruit is only mildly more popular, with 7% of high schoolers getting enough. Experts are discouraged but not surprised. U.S. News reports.

Meet the founder behind the buzzy wellness brand that's now at Target

The Black-owned wellness brand Golde began with a single product, a turmeric spice latte blend, but has expanded quickly to include other latte blends, skin care products, matcha powder and a rechargeable whisk for optimal drink frothiness. The Kitchn interviewed co-founder Trinity Mouzon Wofford about the barriers to starting a superfood business as a young Black woman and why Golde is striking a chord with Gen Z (hint: It has fun, colorful packaging).