Shall we laugh or cry?

According to a US survey conducted last summer, carbonated soft drink consumption in bars and restaurants fell by 5 percent if compared with the previous period. Juice and smoothie sales decreased by 7 percent, but 8 percent more coffee specialities and 5 percent more bottled water were sold.

• In November six US companies announced that they would decrease the salt content of their products by 25 percent in 5 years. In December New York’s The Lion restaurant served USD 85 burgers topped with foie gras and doused in black truffle vinaigrette.