5@5: Meat production methods spur pandemics | Farmers sue USDA over organic hydroponics

Modernizing meat production will help us avoid pandemics

Zoonotic viruses, such as COVID-19, are in many ways a byproduct of massive-scale animal farming. But is taking animals out of the equation altogether the answer? Those in the cell-grown and plant-based meat sectors say yes, and they will add that these options are markedly more sustainable and safer when it comes to disease transmittal. Read more at WIRED…

Farmers and the Center for Food Safety sue USDA over organic hydroponics

Hydroponic and aeroponic crops do not require soil to grow, which is why a coalition of farmers as well as the Center for Food Safety are seeking to legally prohibit them from being labeled as "organic." They are citing the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which lists caring for soil as an element of organic agriculture. Read more at Modern Farmer…

The coronavirus customer-service crisis

Customer-service workers are bearing the brunt of the the panick-buying and mass cancellations that have cropped up nationwide in the face of global COVID-19 crisis. America's public-facing employees are being put at the highest risk "with little recourse or relief." Read more at The Atlantic…

This delicious food is actually loaded with plastic

A new collection of photos produced for the Copenhagen Zoo highlights the ugly side of modern food production, including unsustainable packaging and food waste. The images portray meals and drinks in an appealing way; that is, until the viewer looks a little closer and realizes that all of the "food" has been constructed using various types of plastic. Read more at Fast Company…

Spicy pucker is a real flavor, and it's everywhere

Spicy-sour flavor profiles are shaking up snacks, candy, sauces, drinks and more. Snack executives attribute this growth to those young adults who grew up eating pucker-inducing, strongly tasting products such as Sour Patch Kids. Read more at The Wall Street Journal…