Utah Considers Caffeine Tax

Lack of info makes it tough to reduce consumption

(NEWSER) - The popularity of ice creams, yogurts, and even jelly beans with high caffeine levels is causing experts to call for labels listing how much a product contains. Manufacturers aren't currently required to disclose caffeine levels, and advocates for stricter labeling say this makes it difficult for people to cut back on caffeine and for pregnant women to adhere to the FDA's recommended maximum. More»

Less obese, less diabetic America just a couple of laws away

(NEWSER) - The cigarette tax "was the biggest health care breakthrough in the last 40 years in the United States," and its successor may be the 18% tax on non-diet soda New York Gov. David Patterson is pitching, writes Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times. Not only do empty calories in soda contribute significantly to the obesity epidemic, but soft drinks even have a lung cancer equivalent: diabetes, which helps kill 200,000 Americans a year. More»

David Lazarus: It's time to stop the obesity epidemic

(NEWSER) - The obesity news just keeps getting worse, the latest example being the study warning that 4 in 10 American adults could be obese in less than 20 years. "Americans eat too damn much," writes David Lazarus in the Los Angeles Times . And though it may be distasteful to get government involved in our dinners, it's become necessary: It's clear that "millions of Americans can't be trusted to look after their own well-being," while everybody else gets stuck with their health bills. More»

Maine blueberries, New York bagels make ABC's odd-tax list

(NEWSER) - Federal taxes may provoke the loudest partisan bickering, but some states impose taxes that could leave you at a loss for words. Fur? Nudity? Bagels? You bet—not to mention blueberries and playing cards. ABC News rounds up a few of the weirdest:

• Blueberries: Maine, which produces 99% of all US blueberries, taxes them in lots of ways: buying, selling, processing, handling, growing... everything but eating them.

$200 Handpresso Auto likely headed to US soon

(NEWSER) - Busy caffeine-lovers, rejoice. You can now save time by brewing espresso while... cruising the highway. The Handpresso Auto, available only in France for the moment, plugs into a car's cigarette lighter and delivers up a steaming cup of espresso. All you have to do is add water and insert a pod of coffee grounds. The flashlight-sized device retails for $198, reports Bloomberg BusinessWeek . Brewing while driving is legal in France, but Handpresso helpfully encourages users to pull over before blending and drinking their espresso. More»