5@5: Ranchers ask Trump administration for help | Should salt shakers carry tobacco-style health warnings?

Ranchers to Trump: We got you elected. Now we need your help

American cattle ranchers and feedlot operators are calling on the Trump administration to restore balance between cattle producers and meatpackers. A group of four meat processors—Tyson, JBS, Cargill and Marfig—control approximately 85% of the cattle market, which in turn is taking money away from farmers for every dollar of meat sold to consumers. Read more at New Food Economy…

Salt shakers should carry tobacco-style health warning, say experts

The World Hypertension League is pushing for salt sold in supermarkets and salt shakers in restaurants to be clearly labeled with a “front-of-pack, tobacco-style health warning.” Unhealthy diets are the leading cause of death globally, and excessive sodium via salt consumption is the biggest offender. Sodium levels are labeled on many processed foods already but are difficult for consumers to interpret and avoid listing out health risks. Read more at MedicalXpress…

Fast-growing B’More Organic closes its doors

B’More Organic, once the fifth fastest-growing food and beverage company nationwide, is ceasing operations after its new manufacturer “abruptly refused” to make more of the company’s product. Founder Andrew Buerger was told that production was finished after a single run and is moving on to become senior vice president of sales and marketing for protein chocolate ball company Trail Truffles. Read more at Baltimore Business Journal…

Just a handful of nuts may help keep us from packing on the pounds as we age

Making a small handful of nuts a part of your daily eating routine could lower your risk for weight gain in the long term. A recent study showed that people who consistently ate nuts gained only a half pound each year, while those who ate them sporadically gained around one full pound. Read more at NPR…

From voicebots and loyalty to data and delivery: What are the next big hits (and misses) in food tech?

Here’s a lowdown on the foodtech and media landscape as it exists in 2019. Some notable findings: personalized nutrition is thriving around nutraceutical and vitamin companies as opposed to diet and food-driven technology platforms, data analytics companies are now being acquired by their would-be clients and third-party ordering/delivery partnerships are “cannibalizing” restaurant operators’ margins. Read more at The Spoon…