Monday, February 15, 2016

New Dietary Guidelines continue to support 100% Orange Juice


 Released Thursday, the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
recommends consumers shift to a healthier eating pattern that includes
more nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables, while limiting the amount of added sugar.

According to the report, naturally occurring sugars, such
as those in Florida Orange Juice, are not added sugar and
100 percent fruit juice can be consumed within recommended
amounts in place of sugar-sweetened beverages, where the
 majority of added sugar consumed by Americans originates.
Further, the report indicates that 100 percent fruit juice, such
as orange juice – which has no added sugar, continues to
 count as a fruit serving along with fresh citrus, and other
 fresh, canned, frozen and dried fruit to help consumers
 meet fruit intake recommendations.
"At a time when the majority of Americans are not
consuming enough fruit, 100 percent orange juice,
 which has no added sugar, can play a vital role in
 a healthy diet, as supported by the 2015-2020
Dietary Guidelines," said Shannon Shepp, executive
director of the Florida Department of Citrus.
"Our mission remains focused on educating consumers
 about the nutritional benefits and great taste of Florida Orange Juice while underscoring
 the importance of healthy choices in all aspects of life. We look forward to incorporating
 the updated recommendations in our future work."
Published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of
Agriculture, the Dietary Guidelines are updated every five years and provide the basis
 for all federal nutrition recommendations and guidance. The Dietary Guidelines also
direct the consumer-focused MyPlate program, a visual tool used to illustrate the
 five food groups of a healthy diet and their serving sizes.
The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines recommend consumers continue to center on
a healthy dietary pattern that should focus largely on plant-based foods such as fruit,
vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts. It also suggests consumers limit the
amount of added sugars in the diet to less than 10 percent of calories per day.
The natural sugar found in 100 percent orange juice would not be included in the
 added sugar limit.
Orange juice can deliver key nutrients identified by the Dietary Guidelines as nutrients
 of public health concern due to low consumption, including potassium as well as
calcium and vitamin D, which is featured in fortified juices.
"The new Guidelines provide a framework for Americans to make healthier food
 choices," said Gail Rampersaud, a registered dietitian nutritionist at the
 University of Florida. "Including fresh citrus and 100 percent citrus juices helps
meet fruit and key nutrient intake recommendations."
An 8-ounce serving of 100 percent orange juice provides a substantial number
 of nutrients per calorie including 100 percent or more of the Daily Value of
 vitamin C, as well as folate, and potassium.
The Florida Department of Citrus partnered with the USDA's Center for
 Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which leads the MyPlate program, last year
to help promote a healthy diet that reflects the recommendations of the
Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
For more information on Florida Orange Juice, visit FloridaJuice.com.

About the Florida Department of CitrusThe Florida Department of Citrus is an 
executive agency of Florida government 
charged with the marketing, research and regulation of the Florida citrus industry. 
 Its activities are funded by a tax paid by growers on each box of citrus that 
moves through commercial channels.  The industry employs nearly
 62,000 people, provides an annual economic impact of nearly $10.7 billion 
to the state, and contributes hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenues
 that help support Florida's schools, roads and health care services. 
For more information about the Florida Department of Citrus,
please visit  FloridaCitrus.org .

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Why politicians go berserk over e-cigarettes




BELLEVILLE, Ont./ Troy Media/ - Just mention the phrase "electronic cigarettes" and politicians at every level seem to go berserk. "Holy non-smokes!", they cry. "We can't allow something new and unregulated to exist in the marketplace! People might just solve their own problems without us!"



From its infancy in 2003, the market for e-cigarettes has skyrocketed. It is now estimated to be a $3.5 billion dollar business worldwide. As someone who hates being accosted by sidestream smoke from burning tobacco sticks, I welcome this development. In fact, I recently spent about 90 minutes in a "vape shop", meeting with several vaping entrepreneurs. Even though two or three people were vaping nearby throughout the meeting, I experienced no discomfort. All I noticed was a slight, pleasant, fruity aroma in the air when I walked into the shop. Had people been consuming equivalent amounts of tobacco sticks in that space, I wouldn't have been able to spend two minutes there without starting to cough and gasp for air.

Indeed, scientific studies confirm that there is virtually no risk to bystanders from second-hand vapour, unlike second-hand tobacco smoke.


The vapers I met were former tobacco smokers themselves. E-cigarettes had let them wean themselves off tobacco. Thousands (perhaps millions) of people are doing the same. This was more news to gladden my heart. I hate paying taxes to support the huge medical expenses caused by tobacco-related cancers and chronic diseases - some $14 billion in Canada in 2012. It's not primarily the nicotine that harms smokers; it's the tar and other chemical by-products from burnt tobacco.

Another pleasant surprise is that e-cigarettes are actually cheaper than tobacco for vapers to get the same nicotine dose. This may be because governments impose heavy taxes on tobacco products (about $7.3 billion per year in Canada), but haven't yet geared up to extract similar amounts from the nicotine addicts who have migrated to vaporizers. But for the addicts themselves, it is great news. A disproportionate number of smokers are concentrated in the poorer segments of society. If they can save money by substituting vaping for smoking, then they'll have more money for other things. And if vaping helps them kick the habit entirely, their finances will improve significantly.

But despite all these clear advantages of the vaping revolution, governments have dug in their heels, seemingly determined to bring it to a screeching halt. Major cities including Vancouver and Calgary have adopted bylaws discouraging vaping. New Brunswick has had legislation hindering vaping since July, 2015. And Ontario has enacted discouraging legislation which was originally supposed to be implemented on January 1, 2016 but has been temporarily deferred.

Federally, the Standing Committee on Health issued a report in March, 2015 recommending stringent regulation of vaping.
Since 2009, Health Canada has taken the position that e-cigarettes containing nicotine are illegal. But out on the streets, Health Canada is simply being ignored. There's a brisk trade in vaping supplies including nicotine.

Much of the new legislation might be found unconstitutional if challenged in the courts. Nicotine addicts who still use tobacco as a delivery method are suffering harm to their health that now appears to be quite unnecessary. Any government that prevents them from accessing a cost-effective harm-reduction product is probably infringing upon their Charter right to security of the person. That was, after all, the heart of the argument in the Insite safe drug injection case decided by the Supreme Court of Canada in 2011: individuals have a right to harm-reduction.

Unlike Insite, where the government had to provide highly-regulated personnel to supervise addicts, smokers have been switching to vaping of their own initiative. Frequently, the entrepreneurs who guide them are empathetic fellow-travellers, despite being profit-seeking businesses. Vapers are looking after their own well-being and promoting the well-being of others into the bargain.

And the free market - much reviled among nanny state politicos - is making it all possible.

Troy Media columnist Karen Selick is a lawyer and commentator. Karen is included in Troy Media's Unlimited Access subscription plan.
© 2015 Distributed by Troy Media 

Monday, February 8, 2016

RECAP MASON JARS TO UNVEIL NEW PRODUCTS AT THE 2016 INTERNATIONAL HOME + HOUSEWARES SHOW


— Stylish and reusable Mason jar solutions for the home and active lifestyle will be unveiled by reCAP Mason Jars at the 2016 International Home + Housewares Show, March 5-8, at McCormick Place in Chicago, Ill.  As part of The Inventor’s Corner, reCAP will introduce two new products in addition to The Original reCAP Pour, created by Mason Jars Company founder, Karen Rzepecki. 



Made 100% in the USA, reCAP can be used with Mason jars for pantry storage, bathroom organization, kitchen creations, and more.  The new reCAP Flip screws onto Mason jars and “flips” open to a large 2 inch opening, ideal for on-the-go or in-home use.  As Mason jar salads have peaked in popularity, Marketing Director, Carlo Fuda, comments "Preparing meals in advance allows you to control portions and make healthier choices.  Mason jars with reCAP store conveniently, transport easily, and keep contents fresh.” 

Also new from reCAP is the world’s first ever glow-in-the-dark, magnifying bug catcher kit.  The reCAP Explore includes a 32 oz. plastic Mason jar, convenient carrying handle, and glow-in-the-dark cap with magnifying lid for kids of all ages to get a closer look at nature. 

The company is passionate about the natural world and pledges to donate 1% of Explore sales to 1% For The Planet.   Committed to reducing waste, reCAP also partnered with Classico® to encourage customers to reuse Classico® Mason jars (24 oz. Red Sauces). 

President Karen Rzepecki recalls inventing the cap to shake up homemade dressings in Mason jars.  “After launching, our fans taught us that there are so many more creative uses for reCAP.  We often hear that it’s the most multifunctional gadget in the house.  We enjoy helping people discover everyday solutions that make their lives a little easier.”

Learn more by visiting MasonJars.com.



ABOUT RECAP:
Under Mason Jars Company, the reCAP® brand designs and manufactures caps and accessories that allow people to reuse Mason jars in unique, fun, and creative ways.  Launched in 2012 in Erie, Pennsylvania, The Original reCAP Mason Jars Pour cap was founded by engineer and problem-solving-mom, Karen Rzepecki, who was looking for a solution to pour and store homemade dressing without the mess.  Mason jars are the perfect multi-purpose container, and according to the company, “Our passion for a better world put the “re” in reCAP - Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle.“