New York Times food critic Mark Bittman pretty much said it all in a Ted talk a few years ago, outlining how we Americans became detached from healthy eating; persuaded by food companies and our government to adopt foods that are cheap, quick, inhumane and the root of our health problems. Sound blunt? Maybe, but hear him out.

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A new study of the compound used to fluoridate most city water systems in the U.S. has found that it contains significant levels of arsenic, raising concerns among fluoride opponents that this industrial-grade chemical raises health risks.

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Summer brings so much fun, but it’s also the dreaded season of the mosquito, and by that we mean, the Culex mosquito, which transmits West Nile Virus to humans. The virus can be deadly, so squelching the mosquito population and finding an effective repellent is important. Here’s a look at the latest thinking and the ingredients endorsed as effective mosquito repellents.

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A government survey put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 1 in 20 U.S. kids has food allergies, a 50 percent surge since the late 1990s.

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The fight to label GMO foods has arrived in Washington D.C. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced a bill Wednesday that would mandate labeling for foods that have been genetically engineered. If passed, the U.S. would join 64 other countries around the world that require labeling.

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Apples, strawberries, grapes and celery. All of these are healthy foods, but unfortunately they arrive at the grocery with the highest pesticide residues and top the latest “Dirty Dozen” list released by the Environmental Working Group. The other Dirty Dozen foods include some of the most delectable fruits and vegetables. You’ll just have to buy the organic versions if you want to avoid the trace pesticides that ride along.

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There’s a new game in the battle over chemicals in consumer products and it appears to set titan against titan, by enlisting Big Box stores in the effort to get toxic chemicals out of cosmetics, furniture and household goods. The opposing titan is, of course, the chemical industry, which has fought strong government oversight for decades. Here’s how the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition hopes to win.

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The GE-salmon known variously as the AquAdvantage salmon and a “frankenfish” has been swimming toward approval, but is currently bogged in a heated public comment period. Learn more about the tug-and-pull over what would be the first genetically modified animal to debut on your plate.

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When looking for cancer-fighting, memory- and heart-saving foods, you’ll be happier if you remember your blues. Some of the blue and purple “superfoods” will also help you keep green, because they can be grown locally and eaten raw.

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Darn dairy, it keeps turning up on lists of things to avoid if we want to have healthy hearts, working endocrine systems and a lower risk of cancer. In this recent study, researchers pinpointed the problem as high-fat dairy products, which increased the risk of a fatal recurrence for women who’d had breast cancer.

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What’s the best way to reduce how much water you use? You may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t involve your lawn or a household faucet.

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Just when we thought plastics were safe, having been cleansed of BPA, along came its replacement, the chemically similar BPS. Recent research shows that BPS also acts as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can cause as much health havoc as BPA. Here’s how to avoid plastics likely to contain either additive.

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