US Faces Organic Food Shortages
American consumers are gobbling up so much organic food that producers are unable to meet demand. As a result, most sectors of the organic food industry are suffering undersupply, which is stunting market growth, and forcing producers to look abroad for organic fruit, vegetables, grains, seeds, beans, and herbs. It is estimated that over $1.5 billion of organic products are imported into the United States, compared to about $150 million in American exports. Organic meat sales alone registered a 51 percent growth in 2005, reports Organic Monitor, an organic food consultancy. Sales of natural or organic food and beverages are expected to soar past $46 billion by 2010, an increase of nearly 63 percent. Meanwhile, Wal-Mart recently announced that it intends to increase its organic offerings, which has led to additional pressure being placed on suppliers to up the number of big-brand organic alternatives.

Wendy's Adopts Good Fat Policy
Wendy's, the nation's number three fast-food chain, recently announced plans to replace its cooking oil with a blend of non-hydrogenated corn and soy oil containing next-to-no artery-clogging trans fats, reports USA Today. The new oil, to be introduced in North America in August, will reduce trans fats in a large order of Wendy's fries from 7 to 0.5 grams. And a kid-size portion will drop from 3.5 to 0 grams. The new oil also will cut trans fats in fried chicken items to 0 grams per serving. The healthier oil also has about 20 percent less saturated fat. Wendy's move is expected to have vast repercussions both for consumers and for the $125 billion fast-food industry. Nearly four years ago, McDonald's announced - but quickly backed down from - plans to cut their trans fats.

Check Out This Pair of Melons!
A matching duo of Japanese Yubari melons fetched more than $7,000, the highest price on record, at the opening of the melon season recently in Sapporo. The orange-fleshed Yubari melon, similar in appearance and size to the common cantaloupe, has become a Japanese favorite as a gift of thanks to friends or bosses. In the food section of large department stores, Yubari melons are often sold for upwards of $1,000 (a generic melon might fetch about $4.50). Special apples and strawberries can likewise be sold for exorbitant sums, but as far as luxury fruit goes, nothing tops a nice melon for prestige. Shape, skin netting pattern, sweetness, and texture are key factors in the price.

Fat Risks for World Cup Viewers
Italians are being warned that those who watch the month-long football World Cup on TV risk gaining up to 11 pounds. A viewer who takes in two matches a day will be inactive for 5,760 minutes, usually consuming junk food that can add up to more than 1,000 calories. Health experts suggest sedentary fans avoid high-calorie trash and turn to vegetables and fruits, such as watermelon, which is 95 percent water.

Infant Food Allergies Found Rare
Parents are more likely to think their infant is allergic to certain foods than is actually the case, according to a new study from the United Kingdom, reports Reuters. Researchers at the University of Portsmouth found that 54 percent of a group of one-year-olds were avoiding certain foods because their parents perceived them to have had reactions to items such as cow's milk, wheat, eggs or additives. Overall, however, only 2 to 6 percent of the infants had clinically confirmed food hypersensitivity, the researchers report in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Skin prick testing found just 2.2 percent of the children had sensitivity to milk, egg, fish, peanut, sesame or wheat.

A summary of recent not-to-be-missed news stories from Grey House Publishing.