Do Americans snack a lot? How much? Which is better--to limit oneself to 3 square meals a day or to snack?  What are some common mistakes Americans make when choosing snacks?  This article will provide answers to these questions, and some of the answers may surprise you.

Update on Chobani yogurt recall:  September 10, 2013

It seems that we have another foodborne illness mystery on our hands.  There have been 89 complaints of illness from consumers who consumed Chobani's recalled yogurt.  However, the mold (Mucor circinelloides) that Chobani detected in the yogurt is one that's not generally considered a foodborne pathogen. Supposedly, it can cause spoilage (a bad taste, runny texture, etc.) but usually not the symptoms--cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting--that some consumers are reporting.

However, Chobani and an independent food scientist agree that the moldy product might cause someone with a compromised immune system to become ill.  And perhaps there is another culprit in Chobani's yogurt that has yet to be discovered.  According to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, the FDA is discussing quality control and food safety checks with Chobani.

• As of September 3, 2013 (5pm EDT), CDC has been notified of 641 persons with Cyclospora infection from 24 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Hampshire, New York (including New York City), Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Jewel-Osco, the Chicago-area supermarket chain, has done something revolutionary and, some people think, downright crazy.  In late June, the company discontinued its preferred customer card.  Most other stores are still offering various benefits via cards.  Why did Jewel make this decision?  Will it benefit customers or serve them less well?  Will Jewel profit from the new marketing approach?  Jewel was a pioneer in the establishment of this trend 20 years ago.  Will it now be a leader in its demise?