Food Facts
What we eat and where it comes from.
Bacteria in Food Can Double in Just 20 Minutes
Between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, bacteria in food grow most rapidly and can double in number in as little as 20 minutes.
The U.S. Supreme Court Ruled That Tomatoes Are Vegetables
In Nix v. Hedden, the U.S. Supreme Court held that tomatoes are vegetables for the purposes of the tariff act of 1883, while accepting that botanically they are the fruit of a vine.
Brazil Nuts Contain a Small Amount of Radium
Brazil nuts contain a small amount of radium, a radioactive element taken up from the soil in which they are grown.
Decaf Coffee Still Contains Caffeine
Decaffeinated coffee is not caffeine-free: an 8-fluid-ounce cup of decaf coffee typically has 2 to 15 milligrams of caffeine.
Bananas Are Slightly Radioactive
Bananas are slightly radioactive because a small fraction of the potassium they contain is radioactive, but the amount is far too small to be harmful.