Ignore the FSA, It is still better to buy organic. What has the Food Standards Agency got against the organic sector to make it commission a review published this week into the nutritional benefits of organic versus conventional food? You cannot accuse organic food of being unsafe. [News Source]

Dieting goes federal. Alarming numbers, compiled in a national study, are coming out at a Washington conference with the half-humorous name Weight of the Nation. The light touch doesn't disguise the government's determined aim to slim down the country's love handles. [News Source]

Pregnant women told to limit western Alaska pike intake. State and federal officials are advising pregnant women and young children to limit the amount of northern pike they eat from the Kuskokwim and lower Yukon rivers because the fish contain a toxic form of mercury. [News Source]

Mercury hazards highlighted. The Pakistan government is committed to putting in use environment-friendly technology and stop use of mercury due to its adverse impact on human health particularly central nervous system, kidneys and on foetuses. [News Source]

Allergic reactions to produce on the rise. Doctors are reporting an alarming jump in allergic reactions to fresh produce, CBS station KPIX-TV reports. The reaction is called Oral Allergy Syndrome or OAS for short. [News Source]

Pesticides tied to dropping bee population. In the last two years, almost 40 percent of American honeybees have either died or disappeared. Now Washington State University scientists say they may know what's happening and how to fix it. [News Source]

IOM Vitamin D And Calcium Workshop On Aug. 4 (Medical News Today) As part of its study of how much vitamin D and calcium people need, a committee convened by the Institute of Medicine will hold a public workshop to gather insights and data from experts on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Among the workshop's presentations will be a discussion of a recent vitamin D and calcium report released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which can be found at http://www. [News Source]

Vitamin subsidiary is sold for $8.25M (Arizona Daily Star) Scottsdale-based Baywood International sold Nutritional Specialties Inc. to a Utah company. [News Source]

Police warn of ecstasy made to look like vitamins (The Colony Courier-Leader) The Colony Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is seeking to advise residents about a new look for ecstasy pills. According to a statement release Thursday, TCPD detectives recently seized several ecstasy pills that were made to look like children’s vitamins. [News Source]

BTW (BusinessWeek) Vitamin retailer General Nutrition Centers ought to be gasping for breath. The Pittsburgh-based chain has had three owners in the past six years. (Since 2007 it's been controlled by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and Los Angeles investment firm Ares... [News Source]

It’s good for the countryside and wildlife, which means it’s good for us. Organic farmers are more optimistic about the future, one that will be dominated by climate change. [News Source]

The common sense diet. There's never been so much written about food, its wholesomeness, its production or its demise. And yet, a trip to the grocery store has never been the cause of so much deliberation, confusion or angst. [News Source]