Sampler Platter: reindeer meat, tainted eggs, cyclists

A roundup of food news -- today in three parts...

The Good…

• Washington, D.C., may keep bars open 24/7 during inauguration week. Washington Post
• Hero: Indiana State Police trooper saves Lafayette doughnut shop. Journal & Courier
• Stove Top Stuffing heats 10 bus shelters in Chicago. Chicago Tribune
• A juicy year for Del Monte: company says fiscal year 2009 sales will be up 8% to 10% over 2008's. Market Watch

The Bad…

• Crop failure and economic collapse have left Zimbabwe starving. Millions survive on nothing but wild fruit. L.A. Times
• Climate change likely to have a devastating effect on food security in Pacific island countries, according to the U.N. Reuters
• 1 in 6 people in Tennessee receive food stamps. Forbes
• Newest tainted Chinese product: eggs. BBC
• Copa, Napa's ambitious 7-year-old food, wine and art center, files for bankruptcy protection. N.Y. Times

The Ugly…

• German troops too fat to fight: In 2007, German forces in Afghanistan consumed 1.7 million pints of beer and 90,000 bottles of wine. Times Online
• More than 160 cyclists in Wales sickened by sheep droppings. The Telegraph
• Ikea under fire for selling reindeer meat. The Independent
• Manufacturers pack "healthy foods" with salt to make them taste better. Washington Post

-- Elina Shatkin

Photo: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times