Soft drink manufacturers are cashing in on the trend with approximately 20 percent of new non-caloric soft drinks using natural sweeteners in 2013.

The fats include fish oil, flaxseed oil and Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as newcomers like hemp oil.

While often targeted as the enemy when it comes to nutrition and a smaller waistline, fats are a natural part of everyone’s diet that can promote several health benefits.

USDA will award more than $52 million to support the growth of the organic industry in addition to local and regional food systems through the use of five department grant programs.

The Clinton Foundation, along with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, works with Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Dr Pepper to form a landmark agreement.

Through the use of a two-pronged approach, America’s leading beverage companies have pledged to reduce beverage calories consumed per person nationally by 20 by 2025.

The state of the organic industry is filled with opportunities, but equally plagued with a host of challenges, according to Laura Batcha, Organic Trade Association executive director and CEO who spoke at the Natural Products Expo East trade show last week.

Sixteen food and beverage companies joined together to help US consumers win their battle over obesity by selling 6.4 trillion fewer calories in 2012 than they did in 2007, according to new studies from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

As the US battles childhood obesity rates, a new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that enacting federal policies could impact, and decrease, the prevalence of obesity among American children, particularly among minorities.

Children ages six to 18 eat an average of 3,300mg of sodium a day, 1,000mg higher than the recommended daily allowance.