In the News: Banned Beef, Dangers of Diet Soda, Does Rat Taste Like Chicken?

LA beef supplier shut down: Hallmark Meat Packing of Chino, California, has been shut down after videos exposed inhumane treatment of cattle at the slaughterhouse; many schools and chain restaurants are looking to ban the Chino beef. [LA Times]
Diet soda drinkers at risk for metabolic syndrome: A new study reveals a link between drinking diet soda and metabolic syndrome, which could put you at a risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high cholesterol and blood pressure levels. [NY Times]
FDA issues toxic fish advisory: Fish just can't seem to get a break these days. Ciguatera fish (such as snapper, amberjack, grouper and barracuda) caught in the Gulf of Mexico have been blamed for 28 reported cases of fish poisoning since last November, particularly in the Washington, D.C. and St. Louis area. [Associated Press]
Rodent-feasting growing popular in Vietnam: More and more people in Vietnam are turning to rat meat ever since the bird flu cases have been stacking up since 2004. Perfect way to ring in the new lunar year tomorrow: it's the Year of the Rat! [WSJ]
OCD diners face table anxiety: The five to seven million OCD-diagnosed Americans find restaurants are hotbeds of anxiety: some struggle to find the perfect table, others need to align their silverware, and then there's issues with the staff. [NY Times]

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