Lawsuit in U.S. says Coca-Cola downplays risk of sugary drinks

A nonprofit called Praxis Project, with help from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola and the American Beverage Association alleging that they mislead consumers about the health risks of consuming sugary beverages. It also slammed the soda maker for trying to mislead the public into thinking that it was a lack of exercise, not poor diet choices, that was the leading cause of obesity. Read more at Reuters...

FDA rule to make it harder to give antibiotics to livestock

A new FDA rule went into effect Jan. 1 requiring some pharmaceutical companies to change labels on certain antibiotics to say that they cannot be used in animal feed to promote growth. But critics say there are too many loopholes that will prevent the rule from curbing routine antibiotic use. Some states are taking matters into their own hands; California became the first to limit the use of antibiotics in farm animals in 2015, and lawmakers in Oregon and Maryland are considering similar bills. Read more at Statesman Journal...

Kimbal Musk--Elon's brother--just opened a shipping container farm compound in New York

As part of his plan to create a "real food revolution," Musk launched an urban farming incubator for young entrepreneurs interested in vertical farming. Take a look inside. Read more at Business Insider...

Fast food CEO says higher minimum wage boosts business

California just raised its minimum wage again for companies that employ more than 25 people, which has some business owners worried. But the CEO of the Wetzel's Pretzel's chain of restaurants says that after the last minimum wage hikes in 2014 and 2016, sales shot up. He attributes that to people having more buying money. Read more at KQED...

These young farmers are overturning an industry in serious need of a facelift

The latest data suggest that a large majority of principal farm operators across the U.S. are white men over 35, but a diverse class of young farmers is emerging. Here, six up-and-comers share why they're passionate and what gives them hope about the future of food. Read more at Fusion...