Supreme Court will decide whether or not to keep companies’ SNAP sales secret

The Supreme Court has made the notable decision to hear a case that will determine whether or not the public ever learns how much money grocery stores collect from the $70 billion SNAP food stamp program. A ruling “could impact the release of inspections reports from food processing facilities,” as well as hide data points such as the number of workers in a facility, the number of injuries at a factory and the exact nature of a safety violation. Read more at New Food Economy …

Move over, Trader Joe’s—this natural retailer just launched $6 beauty products

The global organic personal care industry is projected to surpass $25 billion by 2025, but many of the products in this sector remain inaccessible due to their high price points. To mitigate this, Thrive Market has launched a nontoxic, effective line of basic personal care products that are all priced at $5.99. The online natural retailer is offering hand wash, body wash, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner that primarily consist of natural ingredients such as organic aloe vera, shea butter, witch hazel and jojoba oil. Read more at Domino …

More start-ups have an unfamiliar message for venture capitalists: Get lost

The venture capital business model, while largely accepted in the technology industry, is being questioned by a growing group of start-up founders who believe that venture capitalists push fledgling businesses into “hypergrowth” mode, subsequently causing many of them to crash and burn over a very short time period. Now, a sizeable portion of these founders are rejecting the lure of easy money and remaining independent so as to grow their companies on their own terms. Read more at The New York Times …

Don’t panic: The government shutdown isn’t making food unsafe

FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says the agency is continuing to monitor food safety in spite of the partial government shutdown, especially products that are entering the U.S. from abroad.  However, even with fewer companies being inspected by the government, parallel food safety systems are in place to inspect domestic food companies. These are funded by big-box retailers who want to avoid being linked to foodborne illness outbreaks at all costs, and are in most cases more rigorous than the FDA in terms of their standards. Read more at NPR …

Vegans ‘take twice as many sick days’ as meat eating colleagues, report says

A new U.K. study has found that those who follow a vegan diet are absent through illness for almost five days each year—twice the annual total of the average British worker. Vegans are also three times more likely to take a trip to the doctor during cold and flu season when compared to the average U.K. adult. Although the correlation here does not imply causation, it is helpful for those following strict diets to be reminded that they need to consume enough vitamins, minerals and healthy whole foods to keep their immune system healthy. Read more at Daily Mail UK  …