The Joel Bieber Firm

     Join in with me and sing, “Frosted Lucky Charms, They’re Magically Delicious!”. Just kinda cheers you up.  Sure, maybe they have a bit of too much sugar in them,, but it was always fun to see if the marshmallows could outlast the boring cereal.
     Now we know the importance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They have come out with an advisory (NY Times) about possible links between artificial food colorings, and behavioral problems, like hyperactivity in children. That means that products such as Jell-O, Lucky Charms and Minute Maid Lemonade, could be bad for kids.

     Because of the FDA, soon, products containing food coloring, will be required to carry warnings that such consumption can cause or aggravate behavior conditions in kids. Previously, the FDA had maintained that synthetic coloring that was added to these products, had no affect on children. Of course, manufacturers like General Mills are downplaying these recent studies.

     Because of the FDA, you might soon  see all Pop Tarts looking the same color and all Fruit Loops looking like “one Loop”. Or, they will have that scary warning on the side. Of course, maybe these food manufacturers are going to have some convincing product that “colors the food” safely. What, you thought the green marshmallows in the Lucky Charms were really from local leprechauns!!!!

     It’s a reminder of the importance of some regulation, and the importance of the FDA being properly staffed, to be able to render opinions on products that are on the market.

     If you looked at the title, you’re probably still wondering if this is a bait and switch title. What do Pop Tarts have to do with Raccoons? I promise, I’m not trying to drive you to eat a big bag of orange Cheetos.   

     I did open the eyes a bit, when I read a recent article in a SC newspaper. (GoUpstate.com) You just can’t sell whatever you want to, as an owner of a grocery store.

     South Carolina health officials have told a Richland County grocery store to stop selling raccoon meat. The Department of Health found bags of chilled racoon meat in a cooler at a Lucky Seven No. 2.  I guess that’s why you can’t buy greased beaver knees,  eye of newt or the lucky toe of frog, as recited by Shakespeare. They just aren’t approved. (well maybe the frog?)

     The racoon is an interesting animal to study. For the blog, I learned that a President owned one as a pet (named Rebecca) and that raccons have hands so nimble that they can unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage or retrieve coins from a shirt pocket. All those seem like talents that aren’t that helpful in the wild. Although, maybe that’s why I’ve never seen them in shoes. 

     Knowing that information about raccoons, makes me smile. Maybe an insurance company will soon have a raccoon as a mascot. On second thought, they do look more like the Hamburgler at McDonalds, with their little mask. They just shouldn’t be sold for meat in the grocery store cooler.

     You have to say “Amen to that!”. Ok, I know I’ve taken you on a long ride. Maybe you have to be nimble to find  a little bit of legal in here somewhere.

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