Here are FSANZ’s media issues for the week 9/2/17:
General
Since 2001 Australia has banned the importing of beef from the US following the global outbreaks of mad cow disease, but the federal government is now looking at resuming the trade, which industry experts say could lead to a 30% drop in beef costs for Aussie consumers. Read more.
The Queen’s official grocer in the UK has pulled New Zealand-made manuka honey from its shelves after tests suggested unusual levels of a key ingredient. Read more.
A brewery in Adelaide has this week released the country’s first lentil beer—described as ‘earthy’ in flavour and a good way to promote Australia’s pulse industry. Read more.
Labelling
New food labelling laws passed in parliament this week giving consumers a clearer understanding of where their food really comes from. Read more.
In light of recent study findings that only 63% of consumers trust the health and nutrition claims on food and beverage packaging, this article looks at the number of countries that are tightening food label regulations to fix this trust issue and to help consumers to make informed and healthier food and beverage choices.
Findings from a study in New Zealand suggest that labels which interpret healthiness such as Traffic Light labels and Health Star Rating labels have little impact on consumer food purchases compared with the traditional Nutrition Information Panel label. Read more about the study.
Food safety
Research has begun into adding “friendly” lactic acid bacteria, which inhibits the growth of salmonella and listeria, to bagged salad mixes, in an effort to make bagged salads safer and healthier for consumers. Read more.
According to this article, there is a trend emerging in the food service restaurant sector towards serving hamburger patties pink or even red inside. But what are the food safety risks of a rare burger?
Ireland’s food safety authority has just released a list of consumer complaints it received in 2016—and it includes not only a 17 per cent rise in complaints overall, but also live insects, fingernails and a cigarette butt in a bag of chips. Read the story here.
Diet and nutrition
New research from a group of Australian scientists is suggesting that giving too much iron to babies may raise the risk of both dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Read more.
Ever wondered what’s really in a meat pie? This article breaks one brand down.
Research suggests kids take in around 21 teaspoons of added sugar a day, compared with the recommended amount of just three teaspoons. This article looks at ways parents can cut the excess sweet stuff out of their children’s diets.
GMO
Many of the fruits and vegetables we know today have been genetically modified over centuries by humans selectively breeding for traits such as taste, yield, resistance to pests and more. This article takes a look at what some of the original varieties once looked like.
Quirky
Just when you thought the world of unhealthy food couldn’t get any sadder: a pizza built on a fried chicken base is gaining social media attention following its addition to a popular chicken chain restaurant. The silver lining? It’s not allowed to come to Australia. Phew. Read more.
FSANZ
Amendment No. 167 was gazetted on 9 February 2017 in Australia (effect in New Zealand will follow gazettal of a Ministerial Notice). It is available from the FSANZ website at Gazette notices. The amendments have also been registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.
Compilations for the affected standards will be published very soon.
The Applications under which these amendments have been made are:
- A1117 – Extension of Use of L-cysteine as a Food Additive
- A1119 – Addition of Water to facilitate Wine Fermentation
- A1128 – Food derived from reduced Acrylamide Potential & Browning Potato Line E12
Article: CP and the world’s 25 leading corporations join forces for food reform towards sustainable and healthy food manufacturing and consumption.
Link: http://destinationthailandnews.com/news/headline-news/cp-worlds-25-leading-corporations-join-forces-food-reform-towards-sustainable-healthy-food-manufacturing-consumption.html?utm_source=emailcampaign225&utm_medium=phpList&utm_content=HTMLemail&utm_campaign=Destination+Thailand+-+News+Alert+-+Destination+Group+Announces+its+2017+Operational+Plans
| 3 February 2017
Import Industry Advice Notice 10/2017 In-water hull and biofouling survey of vessels arriving in Australian ports has been published on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website and can be accessed via the following link: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/industry-advice/2017/10-2017 Import Industry Advice Notices are available from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website at: www.agriculture.gov.au/iian. |