Here are FSANZ’s media issues for the week 27/01/17:
General
The umami flavour exists in hundreds of foods, and is said to form the basis of great stocks, be the secret to Thai salad, and the reason you can’t have hot chips without a squirt of tomato sauce. This article takes a closer look at this unique amino acid which is often known as ‘the fifth taste’.
Labelling
Australian university researchers have examined consumers’ food labelling preferences, finding the Health Star Rating as the clear favourite among both adults and children due to its user-friendly nature. See the media release here.
Food labels in the UK could be set to be overtaken by a more eco-friendly alternative, as supermarkets including Marks & Spencer (M&S) opt to sell fruit and vegetables with laser-marked labelling. Get the full story here.
Food safety
This article warns consumers of the risks of acrylamide in overcooked foods, and explores the safest process to prepare triple cooked potato chips. For more information on this naturally occurring chemical and how to lower your exposure see visit our website here.
Pubs and restaurants in the UK could soon be fined for serving overcooked food items as part of the government’s recent major public awareness campaign to help people reduce their consumption of acrylamide in food. Read more.
Parents are being warned of the risks of sending kids to school with salads and other healthy lunch options that have a higher risk of developing bacteria than safer choices such as the trusty sandwich. Read more.
Europe’s food safety authority has released a database that provides consumers as well as scientists and members of the food industry with instant information about the toxicity of chemicals found in the food and feed chain. Read more.
BPA
A new study from the US which looked at the BPA exposure levels of people who work with high levels of the chemical such as food packaging manufacturers found some had urine levels of the chemical around 70 times greater than that of the average US adult. Read more.
New laboratory techniques have allowed scientists in the US to test how BPA affects foetal mammary tissue, which in animal trials has been linked to an increase in breast cancer in adulthood. Read more.
Diet and nutrition
Does eating healthily have to come with a huge price tag? This article investigates how it can still be possible to maintain a healthy diet without blowing the budget.
This article gets a clinical nutritionist and dietician to see which common diet ‘truths’ and myths we should be ignoring. Spoiler alert: you might want to stop that juice cleanse…
Scotland is looking at addressing its obesity crisis by taking a number of ‘bold’ measures to encourage people to lose weight, including regulating junk food advertising, taking food labelling powers back from the EU, and even increasing parking charges to encourage less driving and more exercise. Read more.
Interested in how can you get all the nutrients your body needs whilst on a vegetarian diet? This article explores the best meat-free sources for everything from protein to iron.
GMO
After years of development, protest and red tape, the first GM non-browning apples will go on sale in America in February. The apples will be sold sliced, in packages and marketed to consumers as ‘more convenient’. Read more.
With the global population set to rise to 9 billion people by 2050 and traditional farming land set to become unsustainable due to climate change, scientists think GM crops may be the key to feeding the masses. See why here.
Quirky
Love food? Can’t cook to save yourself? Some of these handy gadgets might help.
FSANZ
The latest Notification Circular (04-17) was published on 2 February 2017.
The Circular summarises work currently being undertaken or finalised by FSANZ including:
- A1135 – Beta-galactosidase as a Processing Aid (Enzyme) (call for submissions)
Here are FSANZ’s media issues for the week 2/02/17:
General
Try to remain calm, but Australia is experiencing a potato shortage—and takeaway owners and their scallop-loving customers are very upset. Read more.
Labelling
The use of the term “milk” for labelling non-dairy beverages including those made from soy, almond, and rice will feature in one of this week’s submissions to the federal government’s Senate enquiry hearing into the dairy industry. Read more.
This week, Adelaide will see marketing of the Health Star Rating campaign step up a gear with more social media, store magazines, radio and in online advertising aimed at helping consumers make better food choices when shopping. Read more.
Food safety
This week saw a lot of media coverage regarding the use of titanium dioxide in food, following the release of study findings suggesting the additive is linked to cancer. Read more. And see FSANZ’s response the Sydney Morning Herald
Also this week government officials for food safety in Bangladesh travelled to meet with Australian food safety representatives including FSANZ, seeking insight into Australia’s world-class process for food standard setting. Read more.
The Canadian government has launched a public consultation on new food safety regulations which require overseas food businesses to identify and manage food safety risks before their products are imported to Canada, in an effort to strengthen food safety and reduce the time it takes to remove unsafe foods from the marketplace. Read more.
This article looks at ‘smart manufacturing’ in the food and beverage industry, and the benefits smart sensing technologies could provide to food safety.
Diet and nutrition
Research into the cause for a major decline in soft drink sales at Australian supermarkets is suggesting that increasing public health messages linking soda consumption to weight issues and poor health are to blame. Read about the study.
A new study is suggesting that anti-inflammatory diets—which tend to be high in vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains—could boost bone health and prevent fractures in some women. Read about the study.
Australian researchers say a Mediterranean-style diet rich in wholegrains, legumes, fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, and nuts can help those suffering with depression. Read about the study.
According to market analysis findings, 2016 saw a 92% increase in the launch of vegan foods in Australia compared to 2014, as consumers show an increasing appetite for meat-free foods. Read more
GMO
Are we ready for genetically modified wine? This article looks at the studies currently underway to introduce new traits in wine using GMO techniques. Read more.
Ever heard of human milk produced by a cow? This article explores a number of GM products, from the basic to the not so basic.
Quirky
If learning that Doritos casserole, cheeseburger soup, and deep fried Big Macs actually exist makes you sad for humanity, then grab the tissues and read this article about one country that has ‘forever ruined food’.
Call for submissions on new source for processing aid |
Date: 2/02/2017
Food Standards Australian New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on an application to permit the use of a new microbial source for an existing enzyme processing aid.
FSANZ Acting Chief Executive Officer Peter May said the processing aid was used to prepare reduced-lactose or lactose-free dairy products.
“FSANZ has undertaken a risk assessment and concluded there are no public health and safety concerns relating to this enzyme,” Mr May said.
“This particular enzyme (Beta-galactosidase) is already permitted but both the enzyme and source have to be assessed. The source for this enzyme is a genetically modified strain of Bacillus Licheniformis.”
The closing date for submissions is 16 March 2017.