UPDATE: FDA halts orange juice shipments to test for fungicide

Orange juice futures surged Tuesday amid fears the U.S. government could ban Brazilian oranges after low levels of fungicide were detected by a juice company.

March orange juice futures jumped 9.6%, or 20 cents, to $2.0775 a pound on the ICE Futures Exchange, which traders said was the highest level since 1977.

"My guess is that they will ban Brazilian oranges," said Tod McElhaney, president of LaSalle Futures Group. "If that happens, you would certainly see a lessening of supplies that could push prices higher."

The FDA said it learned late last month that an unspecified juice company had found low levels of fungicide in its own products, as well as orange juice and concentrate made by competitors, according to a letter dated Jan. 9.

Read the rest of "Orange juice futures spike on fungicide fears" on CNNMoney.

Georgiann Caruso is a CNN Medical Associate Producer

After a long, stress-filled day, you may just crave some comfort - and comfort foods like mac 'n' cheese or spaghetti and meatballs.

"Comfort foods are more about the heart than they are hunger," says Marisa Moore, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition of Dietetics. "They serve to sort of bring up those happy memories from childhood or a time that you've spent with a loved one and they bring you psychological comfort."

Sating these cravings doesn't have to mean you’ve got to eat dishes that are high in fat, sodium or calories. Moore says you can still enjoy your favorite comfort foods while keeping them healthy and delicious.
FULL POST

Phones do everything in South Korea.

On a recent reporting trip to the country, I made a point of asking people about interesting ways they use their smartphones.

Some answers weren't too shocking. Lots of people know Koreans use their phones to make purchases (that's a new-ish idea here in the U.S., and one that Google is pushing) and in place of public-transit tickets.

Cab drivers in Seoul give you weird looks if you try to pay with a credit card instead of with a tap of your phone.

But one answer surprised me:

People now use their phones to buy groceries in the subway.

Read "In Seoul, a virtual grocery store in the subway" on CNN's What's Next blog.

Sink your teeth into today's top stories from around the globe.

• "I'm talking 'bout the grapefruit in the mirror": Ten foods that look like the body parts they provide nutrients for. - Woman's Day

• Homebrew from the orange tree. - Guardian

• Guess who's coming to lunch? No pressure, it's just First Lady Michelle Obama. - Gilt Taste

• A vegetarian goes to the wild (Mid)west and finds it hard to steer clear of meat. - New York Times

• The USDA is shutting 259 offices nationwide in order to cut costs - but what does that mean for our food? - Chicago Tribune

Rest easy, Twinkie lovers: Hostess Brands, the storied American manufacturer of snack cakes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy Wednesday, but said it will continue to churn out Ho Hos, Ding Dongs and other iconic products.

"Throughout the proceeding, we're going to operate business as normal," said Hostess spokesman Erik Halvorson. "They'll keep making Twinkies."

Read - Twinkies will keep coming despite bankruptcy and more on the Twinkies crisis

While you're frying up some eggs and bacon, we're cooking up something else: a way to celebrate today's food holiday.

We're picking up good (and warm) libations – January 11 is National Hot Toddy Day!

If you just can't shake the chill from your bones after a hard day's night, perhaps it's time to break out your favorite tall glass mug and mix up a nice hot toddy. And we totally don't blame you if the best part is just getting to say "hot toddy" in regular conversation.

This mixed drink, a bit like mulled cider, is a wintertime classic. Hot toddies were originally believed to help cure cases of the flu or common cold, but the American Lung Association shut those rumors down because alcohol tends to cause dehydration.
FULL POST

Enjoy your Twinkies while you can, because Hostess Brands, the storied American manufacturer of Ho Hos and Ding Dongs cake snacks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Wednesday.

The company, based in Irving, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York.

A spokeswoman for Hostess did not immediately return messages from CNNMoney as to whether more employees will lose their jobs, or whether the company will cease making its famous products, including CupCakes and Sno Balls.

The company has about 19,000 full-time and part-time employees, including 10,413 hourly workers and 8,436 salaried workers, according to a court filing. About 83% of the employees are union members.

Read - Twinkie maker Hostess Brands in bankruptcy filing

Pssst! Got a sec to chat?

We are utterly thrilled when readers want to hang out and talk – whether it's amongst themselves or in response to pieces we've posted. We want Eatocracy to be a cozy, spirited online home for those who find their way here.

Consider the daily Coffee Klatsch post as your VIP lounge – the primary comments thread for readers who'd like to chat about topics not related to the articles we're running. That way, everyone knows where to find each other, and each post's comments section remains on topic.
FULL POST