The Salt

Shoppers say they want simpler information to help them figure out which foods are healthy. But a one-size-fits-all solution may not work. asiseeit/Getty Images hide caption

A new report suggests that when consumers buy sustainably-certified coffee, they have little way of knowing whether or how their purchase helps growers. MediaforMedical/Michel Cardoso/UIG via Getty Images hide caption

Iron pops up in everything from spinach to steaks. But it's not the same from every source – and how much you absorb depends in part on what you eat with it. Xsandra/Getty Images hide caption

Because of layers of material that can be difficult to separate, many containers for juices and broths have traditionally been destined for landfills. But recycling them is getting easier. KidStock/Getty Images hide caption

Sure, this elixir is tasty and comforting, but will it actually soothe your sore throat and help bring your voice back? Ovidiu Minzat/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption

In European cooking, salt reigned supreme, and pepper was one of many spices used in heavily seasoned dishes. When they met, they were destined to be. Or, rather, it was destined that they would meet. Theo Crazzolara/Flickr hide caption

How does lead wind up in crockpots and other ceramic food and drink containers? Ceramic ware is glazed before entering a kiln to bake. These glazes sometimes contain lead to give products an attractive shine. Joy Ho for NPR hide caption

Dishwashers have come a long way since this 1921 model, which was designed mainly to help minimize the drudgery of housework. But today's sleek models are also designed with water conservation in mind. Bettmann/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images hide caption

Manufacturers are not required to disclose if BPA, or other similar compounds, are used in their packaging. jmalov/Getty Images hide caption

Fruit concentrate is made by removing the water from fruit. It's an added ingredient in many food products, from orange juice to granola bars. Joy Ho for NPR hide caption

Stories about the harms of sugar have consumers wondering whether they should put the apple back on the shelf. Joy Ho for NPR hide caption

You're born with roughly 9,000 taste buds, and they're very good at regenerating — which is why you can recover the ability to taste just days after burning your tongue. But that changes as we age. CSA Images/Getty Images hide caption

You may be tempted to save a piece of a moldy loaf by discarding the fuzzy bits. But food safety experts say molds penetrate deeper into the food than what's visible to us. And eating moldy food comes with health risks. Alex Reynolds/NPR hide caption