New Danish research published today in the American Journal of Hypertension claims that, contrary to previous findings, reducing the amount of sodium in one’s diet may not have an overall positive impact on heart health. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that the general recommendation of reducing dietary sodium as a preventative heath measure should be re-evaluated. The study titled ‘Effects of Low-Sodium Diet vs. High-Sodium Diet on Blood Pressure’ was undertaken by researchers... ...Read more »

Australia’s peak farming industry body, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and multinational Australian-based Westpac bank have launched plans for a Blueprint for Australian Agriculture. The blueprint will allow Australia’s food producers to help map Australia’s role in global food production over the next 40 years. Launching the Blueprint at Parliament House, Canberra, NFF President Jock Laurie said, “This initiative provides the opportunity for industry stakeholders to highlight... ...Read more »

The Federal Department of Health and Ageing is sponsoring the CSIRO to conduct three workshops around Australia as information-sharing forums for industry, government and researchers involved in food innovation and product reformulation. The workshop programs will include presentations from national and international speakers involved in food innovation and product reformulation as well as opportunities to discuss innovation techniques and challenges. Presentation topics include: - Overcoming technical... ...Read more »

Ensuring that nutrition and health form a major focus for the development of national food policy will be the aim of a national food conference in November, organised the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). Food industry experts and practitioners from around Australia and overseas visitors will meet for the PHAA’s second National Food Futures Conference on 22-23 November 2011, to be held this time in Hobart. Some of the key speakers at the conference are now locked in, with the program... ...Read more »

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is convening the inaugural conference Food Futures: An Australian Approach seeking to explore an overarching approach to food policy that looks well into the future. The purpose of the conference is to explore a range of issues with stakeholders, in order to encourage the Federal Government to work across departments and with all jurisdictions to develop a comprehensive, national approach to food. The Food Futures Conference is motivated by the PHAA... ...Read more »

Horticulture organisation Growcom has again called for a national food security policy in light of the release of the 2010 Intergenerational Report, which predicts an increase in Australia’s population to more than 36 million by 2050. Chief Executive Officer Alex Livingstone said that the Government’s response to problems outlined in the report had ignored a key requirement – that a larger population will need to be fed. “There is no national plan in place to guarantee that... ...Read more »

A greater focus on food security in Australia from both sides of politics has been welcomed by Australia’s leading organisation representing food and grocery manufacturing, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC), but they are hoping it will be more than just a token gesture. The Federal Government has acknowledged the Coalition’s addition of food security to Shadow Agriculture Minister John Cobb’s portfolio, with the Government highlighting the important synergy between... ...Read more »

Australia must urgently adopt a National Food and Grocery Agenda to ensure the nation’s long-term health, food supply and to protect thousands of jobs, the leading organisation representing Australia’s food and grocery manufacturers has advised. Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) Chief Executive, Kate Carnell, told the National Press Club in Canberra that Federal, State and Territory Governments must unite to fast-track new policy for Australia’s $70 billion industry food... ...Read more »