High Food Prices? Blame The Bats

According to Fast Company, an epidemic is wiping out U.S. bats, which are responsible for consuming large amounts of pests every day. In fact, the industrious little brown bat eats up to 1,200 insects per hour-- a very large feat for such a tiny name. And not only are bats talented in pest control, but they are also great pollinators. Of course, less bats means more pests and less pollination, which means higher food prices for us.

Photo source: flickr user Jo Nayler

Cows Genetically Modified To Produce 'Human' Milk

According to The Telegraph, scientists have successfully genetically engineered 300 cows to produce humanlike breast milk. Human genes were introduced into the cows in an attempt to make their milk more nutritious. The researchers are hoping the altered milk will provide a healthier alternative to baby formula, and they are seeking to eventually make the product available in stores.

Photo source: www.commons.wikimedia.com, author Dohduhdah

Freaky Friday: March's Weirdest Food News

Krystal Gabert, Editor

On the last Friday of each month (or, in this case, a week late), Food Manufacturing looks back at the most surprising or unusual food-related stories of the month. Here are our top picks for March:

A pizzeria owner employs rodent warfare to gain the competitive edge. The man faces disorderly conduct, harassment and animal cruelty charges after unleashing bags of mice at competitors' pizza establishments. Police call his actions "food terrorism."

All of the drama leading up to Kraft's 2010 acquisition of Cadbury hasn't quite died down yet. British lawmakers are furious that Kraft's CEO still refuses to appear before an inquiry panel into the controversial takeover.

The poultry industry may have their chicken wings sidelined by the NFL Players Association. Football season is also hot wings season in most sports bars and barbeques across the country. Until the players and owners can reach an agreement, next season will remain on hold, denying poultry processors the bump in chicken prices that each new season brings.

This just in: Marketing works. According to a new study, children believe that cereals endorsed by cartoon characters actually taste better. Any chance someone can invent "The Broccoli Panda?"

A Croatian immigrant and worker at a Nestle facility in Kentucky faces extradition for Bosnian torture and murder charges related to her time in the Croatian army. The charges are related to incidents in which she is alleged to have forced Serbs to drink gasoline and human blood.

A New Jersey man is suing caffeinated booze beverage maker Four Loko, claiming that after consuming two and a half cans of the drink, he experienced ongoing heart problems.

The inmates are running the asylum... or at least the bakery. Convicts at Rikers Island prison in New York are responsible for baking 36,000 loaves of bread per week — enough to feed the prison population.

What crazy/funny/unexpected stories have you been following this month? Let me know at krystal.gabert@advantagemedia.com.

Burrito Price Dispute Leads To Shootout

According to My San Antonio, a man became slightly more than agitated after he found out that Taco Bell's Beefy Crunch Burritos were no longer 99 cents. In fact, he decided to shoot an air gun at the restaurant's manager, and displayed an assault rifle and pistol in the parking lot before fleeing when police were called.

Eventually, the chase led to a local hotel, where the man refused to come out until a SWAT team used tear gas to clear the room. In the end, the fight was over a $3.50 price difference.

Photo source: Flickr user jugglerpm

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Banning Happy Meal Toy Bans

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the city's ban on Happy Meal toys has led to other states taking legislative action to ban their cities from banning the fast food toys. Legislation recently passed by Arizona's House prevents cities from banning any incentive offered by restaurants, including toys, contests and coupons.

Photo source: Flickr user me and the sysop

Couple Arrested For Smuggling Contaminated Cheese

According to the Miami New Times, a couple has been arrested for importing cheese known to be contaminated with bacteria like salmonella. After suspecting that the imported cheese was contaminated, the FDA took away the couple's authorization to import the products, but the husband and wife continued to import the spoiled food without agency inspection. Now the FDA has caught wind of the illegal activities, and the couple could face jail time for conspiracy and smuggling.

Photo source: christmasstockimages.com

Fish Armageddon: A Million Dead Sardines Wash Ashore In California

According to the Wall Street Journal, a million dead sardines washed ashore in a Southern California harbor, the largest fish kill known in the state. Scientists tested the surrounding waters for oil and chemicals, but found nothing. It's theorized that the fish may have died due to massive overcrowding in the harbor, causing the oxygen to deplete and the fish to suffocate.

Photo source: Reuters

Cereal Boxes Could Cause Cancer

According to the Daily Mail, the recycled cardboard used in some food packaging like cereal boxes often contain harmful mineral oils. The oils, which come from the ink from recycled newspapers used to make the packaging, can seep through to the food, even passing through protective plastic packaging. These oils can cause harmful health effects, including inflammation of the organs and cancer. Because of this risk, companies like Kellogg have announced plans to stop using recycled cardboard in their packaging.

Photo source: Flickr user mroach

Lady Gaga Sues Over Breast Milk Ice Cream

According to the London Evening Standard, Lady Gaga is suing the ice cream company responsible for the ice cream made from human breast milk. The celebrity says that the ice cream, named Baby Gaga, is "nausea inducing" and "intended to take advantage of [her] reputation and goodwill."

A McDonald's Terrorist Group And The Future Of Ronald McDonald

A Finnish food activists group recently kidnapped a Ronald McDonald statue, holding it hostage, while demanding that McDonald's answer it's demands to answer questions regarding quality and ethics. When the fast food chain failed to answer, the group beheaded the icon in a terrorist-style video.



In a bit of related news, McDonald's appears to be phasing out the 48-year-old mascot. According to Bloomberg, Ronald has not appeared in commercials for a while now, and McDonald's is now focusing on marketing its coffee beverages, rather than its high-fat burgers.

Jimmy Fallon Breaks Food World Records, Gets His Own Ice Cream

Jimmy Fallon has broken two food-related world records on his show: "The most fast food items tasted in 30 seconds" and "The most hot dogs stuffed into a t-shirt in 30 seconds." Also, in honor of the show's 2nd anniversary, Jimmy got his own Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor.

Video: The most fast food items tasted in 30 seconds



Video: The most hot dogs stuffed into a t-shirt in 30 seconds



Video: Jimmy gets his own Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor

The Zero-Second Rule

According to Dr. Roy M. Gulick, the five-second rule for food should probably be renamed "the zero-second rule." In the New York Times, he said that bacteria clings to food almost on immediate contact, so the amount of time food remains on the floor makes no difference.

Photo source: flickr user William'sProjects

Chicken Lays Giant Egg

An Australorp chicken in Iowa has laid a 4.1 oz. egg, according to the Des Moines Register. The egg measures 3.5 in. long and 6.5 in. in circumference, making it twice the size of a large egg, said an Iowa State University professor.

Photo source: © Sarah Klockars-Clauser

Nutropolitan Museum Of Art Highlights PB&J

Peanut Butter & Co. is celebrating National Peanut Butter Month in March with a three-day PB&J art exhibit at Openhouse Gallery in NYC. According to Gothamist, The exhibit is a partnership with the National Peanut Board, which is launching a pro-legume campaign in the city's subways. Each family that attends the exhibit will receive free peanut butter. Yummy!

Photo source: www.gothamist.com

The $23 Ice Cream Cone, Complete With Breast Milk

If you're taste buds are looking for an ice cream flavor more exciting than vanilla, then you may want to try the latest treat from a London ice cream parlor. According to Gawker, Icecreamists is offering an all natural flavor made from breat milk-- yes, human breast milk. Of course, they will charge you $23 for the privilege of partaking in this unique dessert. Would you try it?

Photo source: www.flickr.com

Alcohol In Moderation May Prevent Heart Disease

According to BBC News, moderate drinkers may experience between a 14 and 25 percent decrease in their risk for heart disease, compared with non-drinkers. However, before you decide to tip the bottle, experts say this is not a reason to start drinking. Scientists say that the same results can be achieved by leading an active lifestyle and eating healthy.

Photo source: www.commons.wikimedia.org

French Bread From A Vending Machine

Pastry chef David Lebovitz recently discovered a vending machine in France that bakes freshly ordered bread before dispensing it. How does it taste? Lebovitz says he doesn't "think they're going to put any bakeries out of business soon."

Photo source: www.flickr.com

Has Coca-Cola's Recipe Been Leaked?

An episode of NPR's This American Life claims it may have found the original recipe for Coca-Cola. Where has it been hiding all this time? In a 1979 newspaper, of course.

Photo source: www.commons.wikimedia.org

McDonald's Sued Over Glass In Chicken Sandwich

According to Reuters, a woman is suing McDonald's after being injured from a large piece of glass inside her spicy McChicken. She is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Photo source: www.commons.wikimedia.org

$29 Cheez Whiz

According to CBC News, communities in the High Arctic region of Canada are suffering from drasticly increased food prices, including $29 Cheez Whiz, $40 infant formula and $77 breaded chicken. This is all thanks to a new food subsidy program, which doesn't cover food that isn't deemed "healthy" enough.

Photo source: www.flickr.com