Consumers, Food | featured news

The volume of not-from-concentrate orange juice sold in the U.S. fell for the first time in six months, as high prices deterred some consumers.

Rising food costs and higher rents offset a drop in gas prices last month, leaving consumer prices only slightly higher in October compared with the previous month.

Consumers paid more for food and gas last month, although inflation outside those volatile categories was tame. The Labor Department says the Consumer Price Index rose 0.3 percent in September, below a 0.4 percent rise in August. Excluding food and energy, so-called core prices increased 0.1 percent, the smallest rise since March.

While many consumers prefer organic products, the cost, resources, and lower yields are such that scaling organic production is highly problematic, if not impossible.

The agency is targeting foods bearing logos or language suggesting the product is more healthful than the ingredients justify.

The Food and Drug Administration announced plans Tuesday to clamp down on food labeling that it says may mislead consumers into thinking products are more nutritious than they are.

"Our advice to consumers is that they avoid eating pistachio products, and that they hold onto those products," said Dr. David Acheson, assistant commissioner for food safety.