In the midst of a largely imaginary epidemic of grocery store shoplifting, this question has begun popping up again in social media posts. Is it illegal to eat food while shopping in a supermarket before paying for it? Some people make a habit of it and routinely open beverages to drink while shopping or snack … Read more
Balance of Nature “Fruits and Veggies” claim to provide a full complement of fruits and veggies. They are promoted as containing a blend of 16 whole fruits and 15 whole vegetables. If you take only 3 capsules each of the Fruits and Veggies, you will have consumed your full recommended dietary intake. At least, this … Read more
I’ve spilled hot coffee on myself. I did not require hospitalization. I did not suffer permanent disfigurement. When 79-year-old Stella Liebeck of Albuquerque, in 1992, spilled a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee all over her lap, she required skin grafts, took months to recover, and suffered permanent scarring. Yet, the public was largely unaware of … Read more
It is a common assumption that ‘they wouldn’t sell it if it weren’t safe.’ Is this a safe assumption? Do dietary supplements have to be approved by the FDA before they are sold? Do they need to have clinical trials to prove they work and are safe? Dietary supplements are not the core subject area … Read more
In 2011, media outfits from the LA Times to Gawker began reporting the curious case of the French war on ketchup. In fact, Gawker chose this as the headline, “France Wages War on Ketchup.” According to these stories, France, in an effort to protect the integrity of its traditional cuisine and to combat the influence … Read more
How many times have you went into a bar or restaurant and saw a sign that reads, “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone”? I’ve seen these signs many times. They don’t seem like a very friendly greeting and, today, most restaurant or bar patrons tend to emphasize their right to service. Do restaurant and … Read more