After reading an article about unhealthy conditions in public swimming pools based on a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention review, I contacted the CDC to investigate further… Dear Disease Controllers & Preventers: First, I’d like to congratulate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for doing such a fine job. With all the diseases [...]

People are handing over germs everywhere you go. It has become increasingly necessary to implement a hand hygiene regimen to protect yourself from anyone you come in contact with that participates in activities such as handshaking, sneezing, utilizing public restrooms and rhinotillexomania (compulsive nose picking). But hands aren’t the only way germs are spread. I [...]

To succeed in business it helps to be smart. It also doesn’t hurt to have a degree from an Ivy League school. That’s why I made some recent inquiries into expanding my education at Harvard or Yale… Dear Harvard University Office of Admissions: I went to Harvard University. Unfortunately, I don’t qualify to be an [...]

Bacon isn’t for everyone. That’s exactly why I wrote Farmland Foods… Dear Those that make it Possible for Others to Bring Home the Bacon: I know you’re “The Bacon Experts.” It says so on your website, so it must be true or you wouldn’t say it, right? Does Farmland have any plans to ever sell [...]

Sometimes getting to a product takes a little longer than expected due to a packaging malfunction. Other times there’s copy on the package that gives you pause for thought. I experienced both situations with Rice Dream Rice Drink from The Hain Celestial Group, so I took the time to investigate… Dear Dreamers of Rice, I’m [...]

After reading the Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Granola Bars box, there was something about the ingredients that didn’t make sense. I wrote The Quaker Oats Company, a division of PepsiCo, to get to the bottom of it (among other things)… Dear Quaker Bakers, You say your Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Bars are, “Made Without High-Fructose [...]

Yo-Yos look easy to use, but require tremendous skill to master. I contacted the masters, Duncan Toys Company, to learn more about this tricky toy… Dear Yo-Yoers: The Yo-Yo is a lot like New York. It’s one of the few things intentionally named twice. I’m fascinated by the Yo-Yo and was hoping you would answer [...]

Based on all the confusing and conflicting reports related to products giving off radiation, it was time to clear the air. I wrote some experts who specialize in air and radiation to get their take on things… Dear U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation Communications: There’s a lot of buzz about radiation [...]

Glitter Glue is pretty eye-catching. How creative can you get with it? I ran some ideas by Rose Art, a brand of Mega Brands… Dear Glitter Glue Geniuses: Rose Art Glitter Glue colors are some of the glitteriest I’ve seen. That Royal Blue is exquisite! If I wanted to Glitter Glue the walls of my [...]

There are a plethora of pretzel styles to satisfy every palate. Into long and thick? Pretzel Rods! Desire short and thin? Pretzel Sticks! Feeling short and chunky? Pretzel Nuggets! Not to mention regular, braided, salted, unsalted, organic, sourdough, soft, hard, honey wheat, chocolate or yogurt covered and peanut butter filled. But Extra Dark? What kind [...]