More and more markets seem to be jumping on the local food bandwagon, selling produce that is prominently labeled as "locally grown." But with no official certification process or legal definition, what does "local" mean when we are talking about food? How do you define it for yourself? More

Diet sodas can lead to strokes! Zinc helps common colds! Pomegranate juice is an antioxidant powerhouse!

In a recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle, Marion Nestle explains why headlines like these can be misleading and how to question the studies that lead to them. More

When bottled water first hit the states, it was considered to be chic and European (Evian, Perrier.) As its popularity grew, people mocked the idea that someone would actually pay that much money for water. Then, due perhaps to its convenience and a lack of trust in our water supply, it became an ubiquitous part of everyday life. This has led to staggering statistics, such as the fact that we consume 53 billion gallons of bottled water a year globally and that we throw 3 billion pounds of empty water bottles into landfills every year.

Take our survey and read on for more bottled water statistics.

Location, location, location. Where you buy your liquor, how much you pay for it, and the selection available to you: these things are all determined by the region in which you live. Join us - and weigh in with your own experiences - as we take a closer look at the way liquor is sold in different U.S. states. (Readers who live in other parts of the world, we’d love to compare notes with you too.) More

We've heard it before: Plastic containers can release chemicals into the food and liquids we store in them; It's not smart to microwave food in plastic or leave plastics, including water bottles, out in the sun. I've avoided these behaviors, but thought I was safe using BPA free water bottles and take out containers. Well, a recent study reported by NPR suggests otherwise. More

On Monday the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans were released, laying out the government's official nutrition recommendations for the next five years. With their emphasis on cooking at home, consuming more fruits and vegetables, and not relying on processed foods, the guidelines seem right in line with our own eating philosophy. But will they change the way Americans eat? More

Ever bite into a blueberry muffin and taste a clump of blue sugar? This week the LA Times reported on findings that this phenomenon is widespread across some major supermarket brands. Many popular brands of muffins, bagels, and cereals labeled as blueberry don't actually contain any of the little berries. Did you know? More

Yesterday Walmart announced a major initiative to provide customers with healthier and more affordable food choices. First Lady Michelle Obama, whose Let's Move campaign is collaborating with Walmart, called it "a huge victory for folks all across this country." What do you think? More

The Daily Meal released their somewhat controversial list of the 50 most powerful people in food this week and for the most part, we can agree with their picks. We weren't surprised to see Michael Pollan and Alice Waters on the list, for example, nor did people like Tim and Nina Zagat and Michelle Obama raise our eyebrows. But there were a few surprises and omissions.

Read on for more information and leave your views in the comments. More

Unless you do a lot of gluten-free baking, you might not have come across xanthan gum — at least not in a recipe. Flip over a jar of salad dressing or a carton of ice cream to read the ingredients, and you'll likely find xanthan gum listed there, too!

So, is this a safe ingredient for a gluten-free diet — or an industrial additive to be avoided? More