School-aged girls are increasingly troubled by their self-image, with more than a third of those aged between 10 and 11 dieting to achieve their ideal body type, according to a new report out of the UK. The study, undertaken by the Schools Health Education Unit (SHEU), shows teenage girls taking drastic measures to achieve their ideal body, an anxiety reinforced by a global culture of celebrity-worship.  Of the 83,000 pupils interviewed, 56 per cent of 14-15 year old girls, 50 per cent of 12-13... ...Read more »

Two key resources designed to ensure Australian water derived from any source is clean and safe to drink were released Friday by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), with support from the National Water Commission: The revised Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG); and The expanded Community Water Planner (CWP) tool.  Clean, safe drinking water is a blessing Australians often take for granted- but the quality and safety of Australian water is no accident. Used by catchment... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched its Recalls Australia iPhone app to provide easily accessible information on recalled consumer goods. Aimed at consumers and based on information from the Recalls Australia website, the app was launched on YouTube by ACCC deputy chairman Peter Kell. “The app provides Australian consumers with easily searchable information on Australian consumer good recalls,” Mr Kell said. “For consumers, this means that when you’re out... ...Read more »

Dairy processor Murray Goulburn Company Ltd has recalled its Devondale UHT skim milk, sold at Coles Supermarkets and IGA Stores nationally and a Murray Goulburn Store in Corryong Victoria. The recall was initiated due to bacterial spoilage (Bacillus Circulans) in some packs, resulting in an objectionable flavour and odour. The recall applies only to the 2 litre Tetra Brick pack with a best before date of 05 June 2012-13 and a time code of between 6:08 and 7:08. Customers should not consume the product... ...Read more »

The Australian Government announced today that it will release a paper outlining potential policy and regulatory framework changes within the Australian food industry as the next step of Australia’s ‘National Food Plan’. The National Food Plan was initiated by the Australian Government in June 2011 when it released an ‘issues paper’. This was followed by 10 weeks of public consultation. The next step, a green paper, will provide stakeholders with a chance to contribute before a white paper... ...Read more »

A US entrepreneur has unveiled a supermarket checkout and stock management system that he claims would eliminate the need for barcodes. Ran Margalit, the creator of ShelfX, says his system will end “cumbersome lines at checkout counters” at grocery stores. The ShelfX system uses radio frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) technology. Launching the system today, Mr Margalit said that a ShelfX ‘Smart Shelf’, equipped with highly-sensitive scales, knows the exact... ...Read more »

Obese people may regain weight after dieting due to hormonal changes, a University of Melbourne and Austin Health study has shown. The study, which was undertaken in collaboration with La Trobe University, in Melbourne, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine today. According to the study’s findings, although restriction of diet often results in initial weight loss, more than 80 per cent of obese dieters fail to maintain their reduced weight. The study involved 50 overweight or obese... ...Read more »

Australian public health organisations have co-signed a letter from consumer advocacy group CHOICE, urging Federal Government to adopt the Traffic Light front-of-pack food labelling scheme. Signatories to the letter, sent to the Australian Government’s Ministerial Council responsible for labelling law and policy, include Public Health Association of Australia, Australian Medical Association, Diabetes Australia, Cancer Council Australia, Obesity Policy Coalition, The Australian New Zealand Obesity... ...Read more »

Australian swimming sensation and culinary king, Eamon Sullivan, is lending his support to macadamia growers by becoming the face of Australian macadamia nuts for the second year in a row. Macadamias are grown along the eastern seaboard of New South Wales and Queensland, from Nambucca Heads in the south through to Mackay in the north. About 60% of the Australian crop is produced in the NSW Northern Rivers district. There are approximately 850 macadamia growers in Australia, producing around 35,500... ...Read more »

Australia’s largest supermarket chain, Woolworths today announced first quarter sales of A$14.6bn. The 4.9 per cent increase on last quarter was helped by sales growth in its supermarkets division. “It was a solid start to the year considering retail conditions remain challenging,” chief executive Grant O’Brien said in a statement today. Sales at Woolworths’ supermarkets rose 5.8 per cent on year to A$12.56bn but sales in its general merchandise division fell 1.6 per cent... ...Read more »