You're Eating … What?
Bacteriophages
This is a case of an additive that sounds perfectly disgusting, but experts reassure that it's also perfectly safe—and even smart. Cold cuts and cheeses are often sprayed with a mixture of viruses (known collectively as bacteriophages) that work to help prevent listeria—a microorganism that can be lethal when eaten. "The viruses attack the bacteria and prevent bacterial growth on the food," says Jacobson. "It's actually better than harmless; it's a very clever way to prevent illness."

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You're Eating … What?
Xanthan gum
While we're on the subject of bacteria, here's another one. Xanthan gum is a microbial polysaccharide that's derived from the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris. It's used to thicken liquids, and since it takes very little for it to accomplish that goal (concentrations of 0.5 percent or less), it is generally considered safe for use. You'll find it in most bottled salad dressings to help stabilize keep the oil from separating out. But what you may not know is that Xanthomonas campestris is responsible for the plant disease known as black rot.

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You're Eating … What?
"Natural" flavors
Natural flavors are the mystery meat of the food-additive world. And while they sound like a good thing—who doesn't want to eat something that's "natural?"—the term can be misleading and confusing. You will find these so-called natural flavors in just about every sort of processed food. They're used to give a "smoked" meat a smoky flavor; give canned peaches back their peachiness; and give an almond-flavored cookie its advertised nuttiness. The mystery is always that when the ingredient isn't specified—and it usually isn't—you don't necessarily know if that "natural flavor" is coming from something you want to eat.

For example, you might assume that if canned peaches list "natural flavoring" in the ingredients list, the flavor would be derived from a peach. But according to Jacobson, it could just as likely be referring to apricot extract. Which is fine, unless perhaps you are allergic to apricots. And according to the current Federal Code of Regulations, a natural flavor could be extracted from meat but does not have to specify that if "the function in the food is flavoring rather than nutritional." Once again, it's a case of consumer beware.

"Bon Appetit"

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So much for breakfast!

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SRY!

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Page 82 of 82
[ 1220 posts ] WoW!

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It is currently Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:30 am | Last visit was: Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:47 pm
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In return, Woods picks up where he left off

MARANA, Ariz. - Two holes into his comeback and I was wondering whether Don King had suddenly become Tiger Woods' promoter.

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Losses at GM don't faze investors
General Motors (GM, news, msgs) announced a fourth-quarter loss of $9.6 billion, or $15.71 per share. Losses for 2008 were $30.9 billion.

The automaker burned $6.2 billion in cash in the last quarter, and has only about $14 billion in cash on hand.

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GM shares have lost 89% of their value in the past year. Today, they are trading down 6% on the exchange at Frankfurt, Germany.

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AIG seeks third round of government aid
Insurer AIG has started its talks with the government to arrange additional aid, as attempts to sell assets to raise money seemed doomed to failure, Thomson Reuters reported today.

Bids are due for the company's Asian arm on Friday, but most of the bidders have reportedly dropped out of the auction.

Why don't I just give them everything in my wallet also???

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AIG needs to pay back at least part of the $150 billion rescue it received from the government last fall.

The company is now proposing to give the government stakes in the assets it currently has up for sale. But a full-scale takeover by the government is possible; the U.S. already owns 80% of the company.

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Crap... now I'm irritated!

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The mothe@34#@245^%^5554....

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Price of oil jumps 6%
The price of oil rose 6% to $43.10 per barrel from $42.50 per barrel on Thursday, and energy stocks could rise on the change.

Suppliers in the UAE announced that they were cutting deliveries. The suppliers did not specify exact amounts.

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