Consumer lobbyists in Europe have criticised EU politicians for not helping shoppers choose healthier food after Brussels said that it would not push for the mandatory use of traffic-light labels. Earlier this week, MEPs sitting on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee decided against making the use of traffic lights mandatory but left the door open for their use by recommending that EU member states could adopt national rules. In the UK, the country’s Food Standards Agency... ...Read more »

Industry expert and food lawyer Joe Lederman today questioned the need for the proposed Australian National Preventative Health Agency, a new government body which would tackle preventative health issues like obesity through methods such as ‘social marketing’. “The most obvious question to be asked is why there is a need to establish such an agency in the context of preventative health and obesity when there are already substantial government commitments and programs in place and... ...Read more »

The first harvest of genetically modified bananas planted in Australia, in the South Johnstone area south of Cairns, has been picked. The bananas are part of a project by Queensland University of Technology to improve the nutritional content of bananas, as a way of combating malnutrition in Africa, particularly in Uganda, where bananas are a staple food and very low in nutrients. Initial results of the harvest show promise.  Professor James Dale, head of the project at QUT’s Centre for Tropical... ...Read more »

A product-information smartphone app has taken out the top spot at February’s Greener Gadgets competition in New York. The app will allow a consumer to scan a product barcode with their phone’s camera, revealing product origin, seasonal information, food miles, pricing history and previous buying habits. The app, known as AUG (short for Augmented Living Goods Program) will compile a directory of information on producers of fresh produce, such as meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. Program... ...Read more »

Chocolate giant Barry Callebaut has announced a plan to improve the quality of Malaysian cocoa and chocolate, in collaboration with the Malaysia Cocoa Board. “Due to current growth limitations in cocoa supply from Ivory Coast – the world’s largest cocoa producing country – and our growing demand for cocoa, we have a strategic need to diversify our cocoa origins. Malaysia and neighboring countries currently produce about 15% of the annual global cocoa harvest and are logical sourcing alternatives... ...Read more »

Kraft Foods announced its intention to reduce the salt content of its North American products by an average of 10% over the next two years. “We are reducing sodium because it’s good for consumers, and, if done properly, it’s good for business,” said Rhonda Jordan, President, Health & Wellness, Kraft Foods. “A growing number of consumers are concerned about their sodium intake and we want to help them translate their intentions into actions.” Kraft has been... ...Read more »

Coles Supermarkets have expanded their online grocery shopping areas to include Hobart, Launceston, Devonport, Towoomba, Darwin and selected Top End locations. Shoppers in the new areas will be able to use the Coles website to shop for over 18,000 product lines, including groceries, fresh produce, bakery, meat and deli products, which will be delivered to their homes. The new service will also create more than 20 jobs in Darwin and more than 85 in Tasmania, and has been welcomed by the Premier of... ...Read more »

The Nestlé Research Centre has announced a major study on the effects of nutrition and exercise on muscle mass, in collaboration with RMIT University, McMaster University of Canada, and the Australian Institute of Sport. The study, supported by a linkage grant fro the Australian Research Council, will involve several clinical trials to assess different food and exercise regimes and muscle mass in relation to weight loss and aging.  The study will also investigate preventing the ‘accentuated’... ...Read more »

European politicians have voted against imposing traffic-light nutrition labels on foodstuffs sold across the EU. Members of the European Parliament, sitting on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, decided against making the use of traffic lights mandatory but said EU member states may adopt national rules. Two weeks ago, the UK’s Food Standards Agency recommended the use of “flexible” front-of-pack labelling scheme that would include text, traffic lights and Guideline... ...Read more »

Heng Fai Trading Co. Pty. Ltd is issuing a voluntary recall of their Dried Seaweed product as it has been found to contain unusually high levels of naturally occurring iodine. Bonsoy faced similar issues in December last year (2009) and also made a voluntary recall of its soy milk due to high levels of iodine in its product. Consumers please be advised that the below product may cause illness. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. The recall applies only to 150g... ...Read more »