Thursday, November 17, 2011

Pizza: the new vegetable

I couldn't resist this one: a battle has been taking place in the halls of Congress to define whether "pizza" -- or the smear of tomato paste on top -- can be defined as a "vegetable" serving. Don't laugh, this is a very serious financial matter. After all, the new food standards being championed by nutritionist would have severely hurt pizza and potato producers bottom line.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed a new set of dietary guidelines earlier in the year to modify school lunches. What folks at the USDA are trying to do is transform school lunches into something more healthy -- given the obesity problem we have in this country. But lobbyist for the pizza and potato industry fought back, so looks like pizza will remain in the menu for millions of children across the country. Real veggies? Who needs those?

Here's a humorous story about it all. And here's the serious news item.

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