Judge rules in favor of USDA’s certification of organic hydroponic producers

A new ruling issued by the U.S. District Court in San Francisco affirms the legitimacy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's certification of organic hydroponic operations. The court stated that “USDA’s ongoing certification of hydroponic systems that comply with all applicable regulations is firmly planted in [the Organic Foods Production Act],” which established the USDA National Organic Program. The battle over whether hydroponic and aquaponic produce can be considered organic has waged for years, with those opposed arguing that such operations undercut the livelihood of organic farmers who have taken on the daunting task of supporting and creating healthy soil. Blue Book Services reports.

Are junk food companies using TikTok influencers to target kids?

Junk food companies have a long and storied history of using platforms like YouTube to market their products to younger consumers, but TikTok has made it even easier to hone in on this gullible demographic. McDonald's, Doritos, Burger King, Arby's—you name it, they're on TikTok peddling low-quality fare to increasingly obese American children. Researchers also found Black and Latinx youth were more likely to be targeted by junk food and fast food than white teens. Get the full picture at Civil Eats.

New cookbook shows Ikea wants shoppers to cook with food waste

Ikea Canada is getting into the cooking game with a new cookbook that utilizes forgotten, back-of-the-fridge products that are usually tossed, as well as commonly wasted ingredients. Chefs from across North America created recipes for the book that use a few different strategies to help users waste less in the kitchen, whether through disguising wilted greens in a smoothie or making bacon out of banana peels. Ikea has made a commitment to run a fully circular, zero waste business across its operations by 2030. Fast Company has more details. 

Nebraska takes aim at Colorado’s meat-free day by declaring pro-meat day

Nebraska’s governor Pete Ricketts declared last Saturday “Meat on the Menu Day” in response to a proclamation by the governor of neighboring Colorado that encourages people to avoid meat for one day a week. “MeatOut Day” was started in 1985 by the Farm Animal Rights Movement, but Colorado governor Jared Polis Polis, a Democrat who eats meat, has faced criticism from his state’s ranching industry as well as some local governments and conservative groups in Colorado. Dive into the story at The Guardian. 

Evidence mounting that COVID-19 can cause Type 2 diabetes

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors have been reporting patients developing diabetes soon after contracting COVID-19. Now, researchers hope that a developing database will help them discover whether COVID-19 complications can lead to the onset of diabetes. There are two possible ways that COVID-19 could cause a person to develop Type 2 diabetes: the first is from an attack on the pancreas, and the second could come about as COVID-19 induces an inflammatory reaction in the body impacting blood sugar regulation because of the release of stress hormones. Head to MedicalXpress for the lowdown.