🥩🍚 Meaty Rice, 💉 Weight Loss, and 🥜 Bye Bye Allergies

C₁₄H₁₂O₃ - Resveratrol is a compound found a red wine, fruits, nuts, and dark chocolate that studies show can help with anti-aging.

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound belonging to a class of compounds known as stilbenoids. It acts as an antioxidant, which means it can help neutralize free radicals in the body and thereby reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with various chronic diseases.

Resveratrol has gained considerable interest for its potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and cardio-protective effects.

SCIENCE AND TECH

Lab Grown Meat Rice

In the culinary backstreets of Yonsei University, South Korea, a group of gastronomic mavericks are rewriting the menu of the future with something that's nothing short of a revolution on a plate: "meaty" rice.

This isn't just another ingredient; it's a culinary crossbreed designed to challenge everything we think we know about food.

By marrying beef muscle and fat cells with the staple simplicity of rice, treated with a dash of fish gelatine for good measure, they've cultured a new kind of sustenance.

After an 11-day dance in a petri dish, what emerges is rice, but not as we know it. This rice is heartier, with a texture that commands your attention, packed with protein and a hint more fat, all while slashing the carbon guilt that comes with your standard steak.

But here’s the rub: will people actually eat it? In my travels, I've seen that the soul of food lies not just in its creation but in its consumption. This "meaty" rice proposes a future where we can sustainably feast, offering a lifeline to a planet gasping for breath. It's bold, it's brave, and it's a testament to the boundless possibilities of human innovation. To the culinary adventurers at Yonsei University, I tip my hat. You've served up a dish that's not just food, but a conversation starter for the next chapter of our culinary journey.

FOODIE SPOTLIGHT

Reduce severe allergic reactions

The FDA has approved Xolair, a drug designed to reduce severe allergic reactions to foods like milk, eggs, walnuts, and peanuts, offering hope to millions with severe food allergies.

This marks the first FDA approval for a medication that protects against multiple food allergies, aiming to lessen the effects of accidental exposure rather than treating reactions as they occur.

Xolair, developed by Genentech and Novartis, is administered via injection every two to four weeks and works over time to improve tolerance to certain foods.

Despite its potential benefits, the drug is accompanied by side effects such as fever and injection site reactions, and carries a risk of anaphylaxis.

The cost of Xolair is significant, ranging from $2,900 to $5,000 per month, though insurance may reduce this expense. This approval expands Xolair's indications, which already included treatments for certain types of asthma, chronic hives, and chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps.

A trial showed that after 4 to 5 months of treatment, 68% of participants could consume about 2.5 peanuts without experiencing severe symptoms, highlighting the drug's potential to improve quality of life for those with food allergies.

HEALTH

Lose weight without going to the gym

Goldman Sachs analysts project that the widespread adoption of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic in the United States could significantly boost the country's gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of the decade.

They estimate an increase in GDP by 1 to 3 percent, equating to around $360 billion, attributing this growth to the anticipated improved efficiency and reduced sick days among workers due to fewer obesity-related illnesses.

The consumption of GLP-1 agonists, the class of drugs to which Ozempic belongs, is expected to rise dramatically, potentially reaching 10 to 70 million users by 2028.

This surge is linked to lower obesity rates and broader economic benefits, given that obese individuals are found to be less likely to work and less productive when they do. The weight-loss drug market could hit $100 billion a year by decade's end, led by Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro. With 30 million users, these drugs could enhance U.S. GDP by 0.4 percent, and with 60 million users, the increase could reach 1 percent. Coupled with AI-powered drug discovery, these innovations could elevate U.S. GDP by 1.3 percent in the coming years, potentially ranging from 0.6 percent to 3.2 percent. The impact is expected to be more significant in the U.S. than in other developed countries, which generally have better health outcomes.

ENTERTAINMENT

Babish Culinary Universe: The Every Burger from Rick and Morty

An adventurous culinary journey undertaken by the creators of the YouTube cooking show "Binging with Babish." The narrative primarily revolves around their quest to create a unique and massive burger that incorporates elements from various fast-food chain burgers. The journey includes:

1. Pre-Adventure Preparation: The show's host, Babish, and his colleague Brad embark on a mission to collect burgers from different fast-food chains, driven by the end of a strike that previously halted their activities. They humorously navigate through drive-thrus, collecting burgers and experiencing various fast-food specialties like potato chicken fries and pickle fries.

2. Creating the Every Fast Food Burger: The main goal is to build a burger with a patty from each fast-food chain they visited, including McDonald's, Shake Shack, Wendy's, Burger King, Sonic, Smashburger, Checkers, White Castle, Jollibee, and Five Guys. They ensure that each burger remains functional by using double patties.

3. Expanding the Challenge: To heighten the challenge, they also obtain burgers from ten local, non-chain restaurants, aiming to stack 20 burgers on a single bun. Despite the structural challenges, they successfully create a cross-section of this towering burger.

4. Babish's Version: Seeking to encapsulate the spirit of the Every Burger Burger, Babish crafts his own version. He begins with a hybrid brioche-potato bun, meticulously prepared with specific measurements and ingredients. He then prepares various components, including Cuban Frita-style potatoes, a unique sauce, caramelized pineapple and onions, and a blend of ground beef from chuck, brisket, and ribeye.

5. Complex Assembly: The assembly of Babish's burger is intricate, combining elements of a Juicy Lucy, Animal Style, Cuban Frita, and Hawaiian burger. The final product includes a sunny side up egg, bacon, lettuce, pickles, and special sauces.

6. Final Reflections: Despite the culinary success, Babish concludes that the complexity of the burger leads to its flavors overshadowing each other. He suggests that consuming the components separately might be more enjoyable, humorously attributing the idea to Jerry's dominance in the conceptualization.

Throughout this adventure, the text is imbued with humor and a sense of culinary exploration, showcasing the creativity and dedication that "Binging with Babish" brings to its food challenges.

FOOD SAFETY

Outbreaks and Recalls

Active Outbreaks:

• E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Cheddar Cheese

  • Illnesses 11, Hospitalizations 5, Deaths 0, States CA, UT, CO, TX, NJ

• Listeria Outbreak Linked to Cheese, Yogurt, and Sour Cream made by Rizo-López Foods (1/6/24)

  • Illnesses 26, Hospitalizations 23, Deaths 2, States 11

• Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Charcuterie Meats (start 1/5/24)

  • Illnesses 87 (40 new), Hospitalizations 18 (8 new), Deaths 0, States 30 (8 new)

• Lead and Chromium Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (start 10/17/23)

  1. Total Cases 468, States 44

Recently Closed Outbreak:

• Listeria Outbreak Linked to Peaches, Nectarines, and Plums (11/20/23-1/30/24)

  • Illnesses 11, Hospitalizations 10, Deaths 1, States 7

• Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes  (11/17/23-1/19/24)

  • Illnesses 407, Hospitalizations 158, Deaths 6, 44 states

Recall Link:

• 2024 Recall Count 32

FOOD DOLLAR

Key Performance Indicator

Stat: The global food and beverages market grew from $6,729.54 billion in 2022 to $7,221.73 billion in 2023, marking a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. This market is anticipated to grow to $9,225.37 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 6.3%​

McDonald’$: McDonald's aims to expand to 50,000 global restaurants by 2027, marking its quickest growth phase. This expansion aligns with their Investor Day announcements, which also highlighted goals for 250 million loyalty program members and the integration of Google Cloud for operational improvements. The growth strategy includes focusing on core menu items, improving burger quality, and enlarging the McCrispy chicken range. Digital advancements, such as AI and a universal software system for digital platforms, are key to enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. McDonald's also anticipates a system sales growth due to this expansion, targeting a 4%-5% annual increase in unit count post-2024.Quote

FAT: FAT Brands is planning to take its sports bar concept Twin Peaks public as early as the second or third quarter of 2024. The IPO timing is subject to market conditions. FAT Brands, known for its acquisition strategy, added Twin Peaks to its portfolio and continues to seek additional brands, particularly in the sandwich, salad, and coffee segments. The company aims to leverage its existing manufacturing capabilities and focus on strategic and EBITDA-accretive opportunities with scalable and profitable brands. For more details, visit the article on Nation's Restaurant News [here]

Earnings: Recent months prove tough for Ark, Good Times, RCI. The three multi-concept restaurant operators showed significant declines, with at least one blaming more serious consumers.

Liability and Insurance: The Nation's Restaurant News article highlights that many restaurant operators lack a full understanding of risks and liabilities, such as safety hazards and cyberattacks. It emphasizes the importance of having proper insurance coverage, like workers’ compensation and cyber liability insurance, to protect against these risks.

NEWS

What else is cooking?

• Exploring the Future of Grocery: Innovations and Trends to Watch in 2024

• Exploring USDA's Forecasts: Key Agricultural and Food Trends Shaping 2024