A US President stuck in the bath and other wine and food news and views

Does weight matter in US presidential elections? - Humanising the candidates by showing them indulging in humble fare is a well-known photo opportunity, though it can also be calorically immodest. Strangely, that is directly at odds with US voters' current preference for trim leaders. In fact, as high-profile names seek the nation's highest office in 2016, experts say their weight could deeply affect their political clout. It wasn't always thus.

Historical legend has it that America's heaviest president, William Howard Taft, once became stuck in a bathtub and required the assistance of six men to free him. The 27th president of the United States weighed nearly 340lbs (154kgs), but was luckily spared the harsh glare of television cameras during his White House tenure from 1909 to 1913.

'GMO-Free' Is A Boon For Companies Chasing 'Health Halo' Profits - Social scientists and consumer researchers say the battle over GMOs isn't really about GMOs. They say GMOs have become a stand-in for what consumers really want: less processed, natural food.

Smashed Cucumber Salad Takes Manhattan

A Social History of Jell-O Salad: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon

So Long, Big Mac: Cleveland Clinic Ousts McDonald's From Cafeteria - One of the most prestigious names in health care is taking a stand on food. This week, Cleveland Clinic announced it would sever ties with McDonald's. As of Sept. 18, the McDonald's branch located in the Cleveland Clinic cafeteria will turn off its fryers and close its doors for good. Its lease will not be renewed. The move is part of a wider effort by Cleveland Clinic leaders to promote a culture of wellness.

Selling Ugly Fruits And Vegetables Could Be Key To Solving America’s Food Waste Problem