If you like yours uncut, there's an impromptu farmers market Dec. 8 aimed at celebrating unpasteurized moo juice and pissing off the FDA. more ›

When you are stuffing popcorn in your face at the movies, do you have any idea how many calories you are eating? Do you want to know? Well, a large popcorn can be the caloric equivalent of 3 Big Macs (approximately 1500 calories), a fact hard to keep in mind while your hand-to-mouth action keeps pace with the explosions on the screen. The LA Times reports that the FDA would really like you to know these numbers, but that theater owners are not particularly fond of disclosure. more ›

Ever wonder what became of those pallets of Four Loko (made by Chicago-based Phusion Projects) left in the beer coolers of Chicago and college towns? After the FDA thought of the children and sent out warning notices about booze/caffeine drinks, Phusion cut the caffeine and discontinued the amped-up Loko. What to do with those nuclear-neon cans of Go Juice that didn't get sold in The Great Loko Rush of 2K10? more ›

Last week, the attention of many political junkies was fully occupied - in Illinois, by the passage of the law allowing same-sex civil unions and at the federal level, by the debate over the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts. At the same time, two major pieces of food-related legislation made it through congress that some may have missed. The Child Nutrition Bill and the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act both passed, with the former just awaiting a presidential signature and the latter needing house approval and reconciliation. Both bills contain provisions that the slow food and anti-poverty activist communities have been fighting for, but some analysts have argued that the bills have serious problems. Food writers care about politics too; belly up to our breakfast table and discuss. more ›

As other states across the country have banned Four Loko, City Council is ready to follow suit, and the FDA may impose a ban today that could give the alcoholic energy drink a very short life, the Chicago-based producers of the drink are engaging in damage control mode. more ›

Denis Leary thought the nth degree of cigarette warnings was a brand called Tumors sold in a black pack with a skull and crossbones on it. 17 years later, he’s not that far off. The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday they will be requiring graphic warning labels that cover half a package’s front and rear and the top 20 percent of all cigarette ads starting in 2012. more ›

• The FDA is looking into Walgreens' plan to sell genetic testing kits.
• UConn President Michael Hogan is the top choice to become the new president at the University of Illinois. Related: a 9.5 percent tuition hike at the school is on the way.
• A tentative start date of November 1 has been set for Chicago businessman Tahawwur Rana's terrorism trial. Related: Fox does us all an alarmist favor by listing the top 10 terror targets in town.

The Federal Drug Administration and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan want manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks to prove they are safe to drink. The FDA, which hasn't given permission for caffeine to be used in alcoholic drinks, gave manufacturers 30 days to prove their safety on Friday. Madigan, worried that the caffeine and alcoholic combo may be unsafe for "young people," was one of the state attorney generals who asked for the FDA to review the drink's safety. [Tribune] more ›

On the cover of today’s Chicago Tribune is the story of Patrick Pridemore, 4, of Kentucky, who has a severe wheat allergy. Patrick’s mom bought him foods specifically labeled “gluten free” to cater to those with allergies to wheat, barley and rye. Patrick had a severe reaction, though, because the foods still contained a life-threatening level of wheat, despite the label. more ›

The FDA declared tomatoes safe to eat yesterday, after that serious salmonella outbreak that hit Our Town especially hard. If you're looking to make anything with jalapeno or serrano peppers, however, you're still playing with viral fire. more ›