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2012 Recap: Fascinating Food Events

From the craziest fast food offerings to Twinkie pandemonium, we're taking a look back at some of the memorable food events we covered in 2012.
By Lauren Ramakrishna
<p>Jamie Oliver is well known as a celebrity chef, but he is also known as an advocate for healthy school lunches. In early 2012, a report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine made news for criticizing Oliver's <i>Meals in Minutes</i>, characterizing the book as, "one of the worst cookbooks of 2011," from the health aspect.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/jamie-oliver-cookbook-2011-unhealthiest-list"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
really short/Flickr
From the craziest fast food offerings to Twinkie pandemonium, we're taking a look back at some of the memorable food events we covered in 2012. What do you think was the biggest food headline of the year? For the latest food news coverage, read our blog, Food In the News.
1

Jamie Oliver's Cookbook Named One of 2011's Unhealthiest

<p>Jamie Oliver is well known as a celebrity chef, but he is also known as an advocate for healthy school lunches. In early 2012, a report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine made news for criticizing Oliver's <i>Meals in Minutes</i>, characterizing the book as, "one of the worst cookbooks of 2011," from the health aspect.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/jamie-oliver-cookbook-2011-unhealthiest-list"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
really short/Flickr

Jamie Oliver is well known as a celebrity chef, but he is also known as an advocate for healthy school lunches. In early 2012, a report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine made news for criticizing Oliver's Meals in Minutes, characterizing the book as, "one of the worst cookbooks of 2011," from a health standpoint.

Read the Whole Story

2

Russian Law Banned Beer Advertisements

<p>In Russia, beer ads were banned from television altogether as a means of fighting alcohol abuse.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/russian-law-bans-beer-advertisements"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Getty Images

In Russia, beer ads were banned from television altogether as a means of fighting alcohol abuse.

Read the Whole Story

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3

Girl Scouts Unveiled Savannah Smiles Cookie

<p>In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, which was founded in 1912, this year the girls with badges on their sashes began selling boxes of Savannah Smiles, a lemon cookie, in addition to classic favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/girl-scouts-new-cookie-savannah-smiles"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Courtesy of the Girl Scouts

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, which was founded in 1912, this year the girls with badges on their sashes began selling boxes of Savannah Smiles, a lemon cookie, in addition to classic favorites like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs.

Read the Whole Story

4

Star Wars Burgers Sold in France

<p>It was the return of the Jedi — in burger form. A fast food chain in France created several <I>Star Wars</i>–themed burgers as a promotion for the re-release of <i>Star Wars: Episode I</i> in 3D.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/quick-dark-vador-star-wars-burgers"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>

It was the return of the Jedi — in burger form. A fast food chain in France created several Star Wars–themed burgers as a promotion for the re-release of Star Wars: Episode I in 3D.

Read the Whole Story

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5

Pub Makes Beer for Dogs

<p>A pub in South Gosforth, Newcastle in England set its sights on a rather unconventional clientele — canines. The Brandling Villa pub brews their own beer for dogs, alcohol-free of course.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/branding-villa-pub-beer-for-dogs"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
North News/NNP

A pub in South Gosforth, Newcastle in England set its sights on a rather unconventional clientele — canines. The Brandling Villa pub brews their own beer for dogs, alcohol-free of course.

Read the Whole Story

6

Fear Spread Over Twinkies' Possible Demise

<p>In January, Hostess filed for bankruptcy. As a result, many news reports speculated that it might mean the end of the road for Twinkies.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/hostess-could-discontinue-twinkies-and-discontinued-foods"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Evan-Amos

In January, Hostess filed for bankruptcy. As a result, many news reports speculated that it might mean the end of the road for Twinkies.

Read the Whole Story

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7

Paula Deen Revealed She Has Diabetes

<p>The food world was abuzz when Paula Deen announced on the <i>Today</i> show that she has type 2 diabetes.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/paula-deen-to-reveal-she-has-type-2-diabetes"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Food Network

The food world was abuzz when Paula Deen announced on the Today show that she has type 2 diabetes.

Read the Whole Story

8

11-Year-Old Cancer Survivor Published Cookbook

<p>Jack Witherspoon has battled recurring leukemia three times. But in 2012 he celebrated something great: he published his first cookbook, called <i>Twist It Up</i>.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/young-cancer-survivor-publishes-cookbook"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Amazon

Jack Witherspoon has battled recurring leukemia three times. But in 2012 he celebrated something great: he published his first cookbook, called Twist It Up.

Read the Whole Story

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9

Research Cleared Fried Food from Contributing to Heart Disease

<p>French fry eaters rejoiced when researchers said they found no connection between eating fried foods and suffering from heart disease. There was a caveat, though — there is no risk as long as you use the right oil, and perhaps live in the right country.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/new-research-shows-no-connection-between-fried-foods-and-heart-disease"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Getty Images

French fry eaters rejoiced when researchers said they found no connection between eating fried foods and suffering from heart disease. There was a caveat, though — there is no risk as long as you use the right oil, and perhaps live in the right country.

Read the Whole Story

10

Fast-Food Giants Ditched "Pink Slime"

<p>The 2012 war against "pink slime" led to major fast-food chains, such as McDonald's, ditching the beef product.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/mcdonalds-stops-using-pink-slime"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>

The 2012 war against "pink slime" led to major fast-food chains, such as McDonald's, ditching the beef product.

Read the Whole Story

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11

Jack in the Box Introduced Bacon Milkshake

<p>There was no shortage of bacon love in 2012, and perhaps one of the biggest releases was Jack in the Box's bacon milkshake.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/jack-in-the-box-bacon-milkshake"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>

There was no shortage of bacon love in 2012, and perhaps one of the biggest releases was Jack in the Box's bacon milkshake.

Read the Whole Story

12

64-Year-Old Can of Lard Remained Edible

<p>Do you have canned food that's been sitting in your pantry for ages? Well, it probably hasn't been sitting around as long as a can of lard that Hans Feldmeier, an 87-year-old man from Germany, has kept for the past 64 years.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/64-year-old-lard-edible"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Steve Snodgrass/Flickr

Do you have canned food that's been sitting in your pantry for ages? Well, it probably hasn't been sitting around as long as a can of lard that Hans Feldmeier, an 87-year-old man from Germany, has kept for the past 64 years.

Read the Whole Story

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13

$1.7 Million Treasure Found in Jamie Oliver's Restaurant

<p>Jamie Oliver's latest restaurant was making money before it even opened its doors. British newspapers reported that during the construction of his latest Italian-focused restaurant in Manchester, England, workers encountered treasures worth £1.1 million — or roughly $1.7 million — housed in the building's basement.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/jamie-oliver-finds-treasure-in-uk-restaurant"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
ABC/HOLLY FARRELL

One of Jamie Oliver's restaurants was making money before it even opened its doors. British newspapers reported that during the construction of his latest Italian-focused restaurant in Manchester, England, workers encountered treasures worth £1.1 million — or roughly $1.7 million — housed in the building's basement.

Read the Whole Story

14

Hottest Chile Pepper Crowned

<p>Experts at New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute announced their findings for the hottest chile pepper in the world. Dubbed the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, this chile pepper lives up to its dangerous sounding name.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/researchers-announce-worlds-hottest-chile-pepper"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Courtesy of Jim Duffy, New Mexico State University/AP Photo

Experts at New Mexico State University's Chile Pepper Institute announced their findings for the hottest chile pepper in the world. Dubbed the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion, this chile pepper lives up to its dangerous sounding name.

Read the Whole Story

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15

Woman Ate Only Pizza for 31 Years

<p>A woman in England made headlines for the news that she has only consumed pizza for the past 31 years.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/woman-eats-only-pizza-for-31-years"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Getty Images

A woman in England made headlines for the news that she has only consumed pizza for the past 31 years.

Read the Whole Story

16

Ben & Jerry's Apologized for Jeremy Lin-Sensitivity

<p>It didn't take too long for the sensation surrounding NBA star Jeremy Lin to be merchandized. In less than four weeks, the 23-year-old Taiwanese-American Knicks star turned from a player to a brand. Ben & Jerry's caused some controversy when it released "Taste The Lin-sanity" — a frozen yogurt that was sold at its scoop shop in Boston's Harvard Square. The limited-edition flavor originally contained vanilla frozen yogurt, lychee honey swirls, and fortune cookie pieces.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/ben-and-jerrys-apologizes-for-jeremy-lin-flavor-using-fortune-cookies"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Ben & Jerry's via Twitter

It didn't take too long for the sensation surrounding NBA star Jeremy Lin to be merchandized. In less than four weeks, the 23-year-old Taiwanese-American Knicks star turned from a player to a brand. Ben & Jerry's caused some controversy when it released "Taste The Lin-sanity" — a frozen yogurt that was sold at its scoop shop in Boston's Harvard Square. The limited-edition flavor originally contained vanilla frozen yogurt, lychee honey swirls, and fortune cookie pieces.

Read the Whole Story

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Oreo Celebrated 100 Years

<p>Tuesday, March 6, 2012, marked a momentous occasion in history — Oreo cookie's 100th birthday.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/oreo-cookie-celebrates-hundredth-birthday"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, marked a momentous occasion in history — Oreo cookie's 100th birthday.

Read the Whole Story

18

McDonald's Introduced the McRibster

<p>The famous McRib has a cult following, perhaps due to the fact that it only makes limited-time appearances on the McDonald’s menu. While Germany is the only country that serves the McRib year-round, McDonald’s Austria one-upped the classic McRib with a new menu item dubbed the McRibster.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/mcdonalds-introduces-mcribster"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
McDonald's Austria

The famous McRib has a cult following, perhaps due to the fact that it only makes limited-time appearances on the McDonald’s menu. While Germany is the only country that serves the McRib year-round, McDonald’s Austria one-upped the classic McRib with a new menu item dubbed the McRibster.

Read the Whole Story

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19

French Fries Left the Dollar Menu

<p>Fast foodies had to say goodbye to the $1 pack of French fries at McDonald's. The fast-food hamburger behemoth made major changes to its Dollar Menu by cutting the small French fries and small drinks from the list.</p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/mcdonalds-removes-french-fries-from-dollar-menu"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>

Fast foodies had to say goodbye to the $1 pack of French fries at McDonald's. The fast-food hamburger behemoth made major changes to its Dollar Menu by cutting small French fries and small drinks from the list.

Read the Whole Story

20

Taco Bell Launched Doritos Locos Tacos

<p>Following a year of anticipation, Taco Bell fans were finally able to purchase Doritos Locos Tacos. Part fast food, part junk food, the new tacos made waves across the country. </p>

<p><a href="/food/recalls-reviews/taco-bell-doritos-locos-tacos"><b>Read the Whole Story</b></a></p>
Taco Bell

Following a year of anticipation, Taco Bell fans were finally able to purchase Doritos Locos Tacos. Part fast food, part junk food, the new tacos made waves across the country.

Read the Whole Story

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