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Food

New grant to optimize gut microbes, boost health benefits of broccoli

URBANA, Ill. — Love it or hate it, broccoli is chock-full of health-promoting chemicals linked to heart health, cancer prevention, immune function, weight management, and more. However,  some people are less efficient than others at unlocking those chemical benefits.

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Study: Infant formula safety checks can be improved with stratified sampling

URBANA, Ill.  – Producers of infant formula employ comprehensive food safety systems, including product testing to ensure those systems are working.

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Unique Mexican black and pinto bean varieties are high in healthy compounds

URBANA, Ill. – Common beans are important food sources with high nutritional content. Bean seeds also contain phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote health.

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Misleading food labels? Illinois experts provide guidelines for legal cases

URBANA, Ill. — Food labels are a tricky business. Manufacturers must strike just the right balance to entice consumers without making false claims about their products. But if the number of lawsuits over misleading food labels is an indicator — 220 in 2020 alone — manufacturers are struggling. 

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Illinois study reveals genetic secrets of America's favorite snack

URBANA, Ill. – In its simplest form, popcorn is pretty uncomplicated. Most supermarket varieties offer the choice of two kernel colors, yellow or white, and two kernel shapes, pointed or pearl. When popped, the flake typically expands into one of two shapes: mushroom or butterfly. But there’s more to popcorn than meets the eye. New research from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reveals a wealth of untapped diversity lurking in popcorn’s genetic code.

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NIR spectroscopy provides easy, cost-effective method for food allergen testing

URBANA, Ill. Food allergies pose a significant health risk, resulting in numerous hospitalizations every year, as even trace amounts of allergens can trigger severe reactions. Cross-contamination of food products can happen easily in the production process, so it’s important to have reliable methods of testing for allergens.

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University of Illinois partners with Perdue Farms on food safety project

URBANA, Ill. – The University of Illinois is partnering with Perdue Farms and Cornell University on a project to study policy and management approaches to further reduce Salmonella cases linked to raw poultry.

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Fuel the future for National Nutrition Month

URBANA, Ill. – March is National Nutrition Month, and dietetics and nutrition students and organizations across the University of Illinois campus use this opportunity to share their passion with the community. National Nutrition Month is an educational and informational campaign sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Studies discuss how to get the benefits of fiber without side effects

URBANA, Ill. – Fiber-rich food is important for gastrointestinal health, but most Americans don’t get enough in their typical diet. While fiber supplements can help, they can also cause unpleasant side effects such as excessive bloating and gas.

Two new papers from the University of Illinois make it easier for food manufacturers to amplify fiber in foods and beverages for health benefit without digestive discomfort.

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