Yelp says it will now warn users about businesses accused of racism

A new customer alert will be added on the Yelp platform to businesses that have a verified history of racist behavior. Yelp will link out to credible news sources that have reported on said behavior. The reception to this news has been mixed, with some arguing that racist behavior should encompass overseas child labor and others applauding the move as an effective way to reduce discrimination. Fast Company has the story.

Your food isn't 'natural' and never will be

Food adulteration is a tale as old as time, and the complexities of the global industrial food system have only made what food is deemed "acceptable" to the general public all the more confusing. This confusion has in part fueled the clean-label and non-GMO movements (and their opponents), but as the author notes, it's pretty much impossible at this point in time to define what is "natural" and therefore acceptable and what is not; there are no concrete answers. Learn more about the long history of adulterated, contaminated and fake food at Wired ...

The growing appeal of desserts that are 'not-too-sweet'

Consumers are embracing desserts that incorporate elements of bitterness, saltiness and spiciness. As sugar becomes increasingly more vilified among the population, brands that offer products with unusual flavor profiles (hello, olive oil ice cream!) that avoid being "sugar bombs" are poised to succeed. Vice ...

Why do fast-casual restaurants get a pass on appropriation?

While Trader Joe's was the most recent establishment to come under fire for its insensitively titled "Trader Ming's" and "Trader José's" branded products, fast-casual restaurants have been appropriating menu items from various indigenous cultures with little to no consequence for years. But it is possible to co-opt these items in a conscious way. For instance, businesses can educate consumers on the traditional names of foreign dishes and support the minority populations from which they originate. Head over to Eater to get the latest on how people are growing the tapestry of American cuisine in a respectful manner.

Human spatial memory prioritizes high-calorie foods

A new study shows that the human brain is innately wired to remember the locations of high-calorie foods better than low-calorie fare. Experts believe this bias evolved to help humans survive periods of food scarcity by supercharging the ability to locate calorie-dense foods through foraging. Read more at Medical Xpress ...