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The article reports on the issue of food loss and waste in the U.S. It mentions concerns over yield and disposition of uneaten food along with shortage due to pollution and distress on food supply worldwide. An overview of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Food Waste Challenge is also presented.

The article focuses on the U.S. Economic Research Service (ERS) as it turns one hundred years in 2010, adapted from the ERS Food Availability (Per capita) Data System. It notes that the availability of data reveals evolving food choices as illustrated by several forces such as rising incomes and trade, new technologies and agricultural policies. It concludes that ERS has updated and enhanced the usability of its food availability data system.

This article presents several graphical representations of food consumption in the U.S., including the amount of food available for consumption in the U.S.

Discusses the issue of food safety in the expansion of global food trade. Factors that contribute to the differences in food safety regulations and standards among countries; Information on how countries tackle the issue of food safety risks; Food safety regulations trend in industrialized countries.

The article discusses consumer-level loss estimates, which was updated by Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International in agreement with Economic Research Service (ERS) in the U.S. RTI researchers compared purchase data from Nielsen Homescan Perishables Group, Inc., with consumption data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for about 200 foods. RTI estimate and the ERS loss estimates are found to be similar.

The article analyzes U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) data on food import shipments that were refused entry from 1998-2004. It reveals that of 70,369 import violations, 65% were for adulteration, 33% for mishandling and 2% were for other violations such as forbidden items or restricted in sale. The top three food categories with the highest violations are vegetables 20.6%, fishery and seafood 20.1% and fruits 11.7% while Salmonella accounts for the highest in pathogen violations.

The article reveals that U.S. citizens increased their consumption of tree nuts between the mid-1990s and mid-200s, with almonds leading the increase. It is noted that advertisements on the nutritional value of nuts likely contributed to the increase in consumption. Other factors are the trend toward healthier eating and the popularity of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern foods with nuts. Other nuts cited are walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts.

The article reports on the increased amount of sugars and caloric sweeteners added to the U.S. food supply since 1970. Based on the food availability data of the Economic Research Service (ERS), the total of added sugars grew by 19 percent or 142 pounds per person in 2005 as compared to 119 pounds per person in 1970. The study also cites that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) had replaced refined cane and beet sugars during the 1970 to 2005 period, but saw a decline in availability by 1999 due to the popularity of bottled water and diet soft drinks.

This article reports on the rise and fall in coffee consumption in the U.S. during the twentieth century. Data on per capita coffee availability are given, as well as an overview of coffee consumption during the first half of the century. It discusses the reasons for the declining coffee consumption since World War II and the growing popularity of speciality coffees in the last decades of the century.

The article offers news briefs on food and nutrition. Participation in the Food Stamp Program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture varies by state. Food insecurity continued to increase through 2004 before declining by about one percentage point to 11.0% in 2005. The total amount of fruit and vegetables available for consumption in the U.S. increased by 20% since 1970.

The article focuses on the findings of the report "Possible Implications for U.S. Agriculture From Adoption of Select Dietary Guidelines," released by the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It cites the potential implications for U.S. agriculture if citizens change their consumption patterns to meet the "2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans" recommendations. Daily vegetable consumption would need to increase by about 31 percent as part of the dietary change.

The article discusses the increase of frozen potato consumption from fresh potatoes in the U.S. In 2004, U.S. citizens consumed 56.4 pounds of frozen potatoes, mostly french fries, compared to the 46.5 fresh potato consumption. Taste, convenience, and technology contributed to the switch from fresh to frozen potatoes. Innovations, including the frozen french fry and the curing of the potatoes, improved the preparation speed and quality of the french fries.

The article reports on the increase in the consumption of chicken between 1970 and 2004, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The factors which contributed to the rise in chicken consumption are enumerated, such as the response of the industry to demands by consumers and food service operators for quality products.

Focuses on the expected awards that juries awarded for severe foodborne illness lawsuits filed against U.S. food firms, based on a research held by the Economic Research Service as of February 2004. Consequences faced by food firms that violated food safety laws; Categories of the lawsuits according to severity; Median award for the plaintiff victories.

Reports on the Fruits and Vegetable Pilot Program (FVPP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Number of schools that participated in the program for the school year 2002-03; U.S. states that joined the FVPP; Fruits and vegetables which schools often buy; Estimate on the cost of the program.