Health Notes

• The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has weighed in with a position paper (available to subscribers to our weekly news service) on the question of functional foods and those containing health additives like fiber and whole grains. The organization argues that foods are more than simply nutrition, but that claims about additives and functional qualities need to be analyzed and studied carefully to evaluate more carefully the many competing claims.

• In a sad development, a new study in the April 2009 issue of Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found the use of medications to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes among children increased 15.2%. This likely reflects the side effects of the obesity epidemic among youngsters and the failure of efforts to curb it through exercise and changes in lifestyle.

• A CDC (Centers for Disease Control) report found detectable levels perchlorate contamination in the largest brands of US powdered infant formula. The chemical has been used since the 1940s for rocket propellant, and has contaminated the water supplies and found its way into plants and animals in the food chain. Scientists warn the chemical may interfere with the body's absorption of iodine and therefore interfere with brain development. Infant formula is usually fortified with iodine, but the effects of the contamination are disputed with the formula manufacturers claiming the levels are insignificant.

• Gum disease is increasingly seen as a marker for underlying health catastrophes, including heart disease. Doctors are unsure if plaque on your teeth causes or is caused by plaque in your arteries, but the connection is now well-established. The mechanism may be that bacteria living in unhealthy gums enter the bloodstream and cause other mischief, or it may be that inflammation in the body is somehow linked to overall health. Whatever the mechanism, though, doctors now see a link between obesity and gum disease with those overweight nearly 30% more likely to have gum problems. In a related concern, the citrus acid in sports drinks may erode tooth enamel, so dentists are advising consumers to brush after drinking.

• CVS is among the retailers rushing to implement e-prescriptions. Wal-Mart is already investing heavily in computerized record keeping for doctors offices, looking both for the expansion opportunities and to encourage the use of their in-store pharmacies for fulfillment. CVS is partnering with NJ-based Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield to promote proprietary iScribe system. The system lets a health care provider prescribe directly from a PDA device or through a Web-based system which highlights dangerous drug interaction issues, identifies generic and cost-saving alternatives, and alerts the doctor if the patient fails to fill the prescription. A recent study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimated cost savings electronic prescriptions at $845,000 per 100,000 patients based on a 20% utilization level of prescribers.

• David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, the authors of Eat This, Not That, have released the poor grades of America’s worst restaurants, mostly for failing to provide nutritional information, but also because of high calorie and fat content. BSLG is pleased none of its clients made this "Hall of Shame."

D+ Baskin-Robbins
D+ Carl’s Jr.
D+ Denny’s
D+ Dairy Queen
D+ Ruby Tuesday
D Chili’s
D Uno Chicago Grill
D Chevys
D- On the Border
D- Romano’s Macaroni Grill
D- Baja Fresh
F Applebee's, IHOP, Outback, T.G.I. Friday's

• At the same time, Health magazine rated America’s healthiest fast-food chains (based on using healthy fats, sodium control, providing nutritional information and organics):

1. Panera Bread
2. Jason’s Deli
3. Au Bon Pain
4. Noodles & Company
5. Corner Bakery Café
6. Chipotle
7. Atlanta Bread
8. McDonald’s
9. Einstein Bros. Bagels
10. Taco Del Mar

Excerpted from BSLG's weekly subscription news reader service Food Business News. To subscribe or for information about licensing, contact Broad Street Licensing Group (tel. 973-655-0598)