Center For Science In The Public Interest

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, directed by Michael Jacobson, over the last two decades has delighted in telling consumers about the health risks of some of the nation's most popular foods, including buttered movie theater popcorn. The center has analyzed and itemized ingredients, then shared the often surprising findings with consumers. Jacobson, 50, who holds a Ph.D.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest believes that many states might be able to close gaps in their budgets by placing a tax on soda and other sugary drinks. The health advocacy group released a study this week that estimates budget-strapped states -- including California -- could generate a combined $10 billion a year by levying a tax of 7 cents per 12-ounce can of Coke or other beverage. Currently, 25 states impose special taxes on sugary drinks. The group, which is lobbying for such taxes and has suggested a national excise tax on sugared drinks, said raising the price of the beverages would reduce consumption.

Group Urges FTC Crackdown on 'Misleading' Food Ads: A day after the government barred Haagen-Dazs from making low-fat claims about its rich frozen yogurt, a consumer organization urged a similar crackdown on other foods. Washington, D.C.-based Center for Science in the Public Interest said advertisers routinely make misleading claims that foods are more healthful than the data on their labels say. Label information is closely regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

An influential consumer group wants to put KFC's fat in the fire. The Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to end KFC's use of partially hydrogenated oil in fried chicken and other dishes. If it comes up short, the group wants the District of Columbia Superior Court, where the suit was filed, to order KFC to post signs notifying customers that many of the chain's foods are high in trans fat.

Just as Olestra, the revolutionary new experimental fat substitute, appeared closer than ever before to reaching the marketplace, an influential consumer group charged Wednesday that the substance is unsafe and asked the Food and Drug Administration not to approve it.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest believes that many states might be able to close gaps in their budgets by placing a tax on soda and other sugary drinks. The health advocacy group released a study this week that estimates budget-strapped states -- including California -- could generate a combined $10 billion a year by levying a tax of 7 cents per 12-ounce can of Coke or other beverage. Currently, 25 states impose special taxes on sugary drinks. The group, which is lobbying for such taxes and has suggested a national excise tax on sugared drinks, said raising the price of the beverages would reduce consumption.

A coalition including consumer activist Ralph Nader announced it will work to overturn or block "veggie libel" laws like the one Texas cattlemen used to sue Oprah Winfrey. The new Foodspeak Coalition said laws in 13 states and pending in many others are intended to muzzle public debate on food safety and protect food industry and agribusiness profits.

An influential consumer group wants to put KFC's fat in the fire. The Center for Science in the Public Interest filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to end KFC's use of partially hydrogenated oil in fried chicken and other dishes. If it comes up short, the group wants the District of Columbia Superior Court, where the suit was filed, to order KFC to post signs notifying customers that many of the chain's foods are high in trans fat.

A Washington-based food industry watchdog group is demanding that state and federal officials determine whether advertising for Procter & Gamble's new olestra fat replacer violates truth-in-advertising laws. At a news conference Tuesday in Hollywood, Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said he has asked California Atty. Gen.

Concerned that Americans are consuming salt at higher than recommended levels, a consumer group asked a federal court Thursday to force the government to regulate it. More than two decades after a similar lawsuit was dismissed, the Center for Science in the Public Interest is trying anew to get salt categorized as a food additive.

Concerned that Americans are consuming salt at higher than recommended levels, a consumer group asked a federal court Thursday to force the government to regulate it. More than two decades after a similar lawsuit was dismissed, the Center for Science in the Public Interest is trying anew to get salt categorized as a food additive.

The healthy-food watchdog that tried to take all the fun out of Chinese take-out and movie popcorn has done it again, this time with summer's favored treat -- ice cream. "Everyone knows that ice cream isn't a health food," the Center for Science in the Public Interest, an independent, nonprofit group, said in a study released Wednesday.

A coalition including consumer activist Ralph Nader announced it will work to overturn or block "veggie libel" laws like the one Texas cattlemen used to sue Oprah Winfrey. The new Foodspeak Coalition said laws in 13 states and pending in many others are intended to muzzle public debate on food safety and protect food industry and agribusiness profits.

A Washington-based food industry watchdog group is demanding that state and federal officials determine whether advertising for Procter & Gamble's new olestra fat replacer violates truth-in-advertising laws. At a news conference Tuesday in Hollywood, Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said he has asked California Atty. Gen.

Before you indulge your sweet tooth and bite into that cinnamon roll or scone, you might want to add another hour or two to your morning exercise routine and check your cholesterol levels, according to the latest nutritional report released by a consumer group on Wednesday.

Just as Olestra, the revolutionary new experimental fat substitute, appeared closer than ever before to reaching the marketplace, an influential consumer group charged Wednesday that the substance is unsafe and asked the Food and Drug Administration not to approve it.

A Washington-based consumer organization on Thursday announced its picks for the 10 most misleading ads of the year, but some advertisers accused the critics of being misleading. The Center for Science in the Public Interest bestows its Harlan Page Hubbard Lemon awards to draw attention to what it considers to be the "most misleading, unfair and irresponsible ad campaigns." Among the recipients: * Prudential Securities, for ads promising consumers "straight talk."

A typical serving of beef chimichangas, chile rellenos or other popular menu items at Mexican restaurants exceeds the federal government's recommended daily limit of fat, saturated fat and sodium, according to a study released Monday by a Washington-based nutritional advocacy group. The survey of restaurant chains and independent diners by the Center for Science in the Public Interest contends that Mexican restaurants have been lax in offering healthier alternatives to their customers.

It's was easier for NASA to fix the carbon dioxide problem on Apollo 13 than it is for an observer to determine the origin of a plate of cold food being picked apart with oversized tweezers by men and women in white lab coats. Yes, another investigation is under way by the consumer advocates at the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

There was a time, consumer advocate Michael Jacobson recalls, when advertising stayed in its place. "We all knew the boundaries--full-page ads in magazines and newspapers, 30-second commercials on television and outdoor billboards." But over the last 10 years, this orderly parade has erupted into a marketing stampede.