This July 4th, Americans across the country will ignite their grills, as millions celebrate Independence Day with a traditional barbeque. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, Americans will consume about 150 million hot dogs on July 4th alone.

Mothers of young children are spending far more time with social media than just three years ago, and as their personal time becomes constrained, they end up sacrificing time with magazines and newspapers compared to before they had children, reports Mediaweek.

An annual tradition, Northbrook, Ill.-based Bell Flavors & Fragrances released its annual flavors and fragrances report in three market categories. These Top 10 flavor lists are tabulated by tracking requested samples over a 12 month period, Internal Trend Scouting from four continents, and compiling flavor trends that come from external resources and suppliers, Mintel, media, and other credible sources. This information is then analyzed and complied. 

A historic deal was signed by the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, allowing certified organic products with the organic label from either country to be sold on the other side of the border.

Under terms of the agreement, announced at the All Things Organic Trade Show last week, foods that are certified by the National Organic Program do not have to become certified by the Canada Organic Product Regulation, reports the Brattleboro Reformer.

On Friday, Nestle voluntarily recalled its refrigerated Toll House cookie dough products and warned consumers not to eat the raw dough because of possible E. coli contamination. Health officials are not certain Toll House dough is to blame, but Nestle is taking precautionary steps because more than 60 people have fallen ill so far in 28 states, reports ABC.

Despite tough economic times, Americans are expected to spend an average of $90.89 on gifts for dad this year, down slightly from $94.54 in 2008, according to a National Retail Federation Survey. Total spending for Father’s Day, which falls on June 21 this year, are expected to reach $9.4 billion. Spending for Mother’s Day was expected to be slightly higher at an average of $123.89.

Food, fitness or family…which one is most to blame for childhood obesity? Today’s parents aren’t sure, and they’re feeling overwhelmed and worried as they try to prevent obesity in their own children, according to research from Mintel.

Shoppers of all demographics have flocked to value brands, but according to IRI many premium brands are also picking up steam. On a unit sales basis, value brands enjoyed more growth in 2009 than 2008, while premium brand sales shrank just over 1 percent and mid-tier brands shrank nearly 3 percent. What’s happening here?

During a session exploring possible changes to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans held at the Institute of Food Technologists’ annual meeting this week, Eric J. Hentges, Ph.D., director of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and executive director of Washington-based International Life Sciences Institution North America, told attendees that sodium and SOFAS may face more negative critiques.