Mediavore

Dole Food Co. Settles Over $9 Billion in Lawsuits; Guy Fieri Plans Carnival Cruise Cuisine

• Dole Food Co. is settling 5 lawsuits in the U.S. and 33 (!!) in Nicaragua, relating to worker injuries from the use of the agricultural chemical DBCP on farmers in the seventies. [Reuters]

• Guy Fieri is launching a chain of eateries on Carnival cruise ships; rumors are also swirling that he’ll open a restaurant in New York. Nooooooo … [Cruise Log/USAT, Fork in the Road/VV]

• Here’s a new diet tip: Eat in the company of men. In a study, both men and women ate less when dinning companions were male. [NPR]

• L.A.-based groups opposed to GMO’s and pushing for a ballot initiative against the frankenfood are rallying this week on the Westside in preparation of a larger demonstration on October 16th at The Federal Building in Westwood. [Examiner]

• Local design and engineering buffs are invited to enter Gelson’s Canstruction, where teams compete to create sculptures out of food cans for prizes. [Market Watch]

• Embattled Four Loko will change its labels again to read something along the lines of “This can has as much alcohol as 4 regular (12 oz. 5 percent alc/vol) beers.” [HuffPo]

• Community gardens are on the rise in South L.A., thanks to a group named LA Green Grounds, that helps organize, supply, and plant them. [HuffPo]

• A coalition of food companies and organizations filed a petition with the FDA requesting that labels be placed on genetically modified foods. Good luck with that. [USAT]

• Put down the Oreo’s: A healthier diet during pregnancy can reduce the risk of birth defects, shows a new study. [NYDN]

Dole Food Co. Settles Over $9 Billion in Lawsuits; Guy Fieri Plans Carnival