The findings of a new Swedish study, published this week, suggest that a diet high in saturated fatty acids could have a better effect on blood sugar levels and blood lipids than previously thought. Results of the two-year dietary study, led by Hans Guldbrand, general practitioner, and Fredrik Nyström, professor of Internal Medicine at Linköping University are being published in the prestigious journal Diabetologia. In the study, 61 patients with Type 2, or adult-onset diabetes were put into two... ...Read more »

Despite it already being 10 years in the making, the due date for the completion of the revised draft Standard for Nutrition Health and Related Claims (Standards 1.2.7 – Proposal P293) has been extended from 14 May 2012 to 31 July 2012. Under the proposed revised Standard,  all health claims would need to be scientifically substantiated and not be misleading. Foods would also have to meet certain criteria to be eligible to carry health claims. On 17 February 2012, FSANZ released a consultation... ...Read more »

The global sweet biscuit market is seeing two opposing forces at work, according to research just published market research company Innova Market Insights. The image of biscuits being a ‘treat’ is driving the premium sector forward, while rising health concerns have raised interest in better-for-you products. Biscuits with some sort of chocolate content accounted for a 48 per cent of the global sweet biscuit launches recorded by Innova Market Insights in 2011. This was down from over... ...Read more »

Australia’s peak nutrition organisation, the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA), and Australia’s horticulture industries are collaborating to help Australians eat better. The DAA’s CEO Claire Hewat said the partnership will improve the Association’s capacity to promote important nutrition messages and to support its members – Australia’s dietitians and nutritionists. Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) works in partnership with Australia’s horticulture industries to invest... ...Read more »

More than half of Australians are regularly skipping breakfast, according to a new study by Kraft Foods Australia, released today. The Kraft Foods ‘Aussie Breakfast Report’ researched the breakfast eating habits of Australians. The study found that despite 42 per cent of Australians acknowledging that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, more than half (56 per cent) are missing out on their morning meal at least once a week, and almost a third are skipping as many as three times per... ...Read more »

The University of Queensland and the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation have jointly developed a new AU$7 million research centre to focus on research, development, extension and education in subtropical dairy production. The centre’s work is expected to be particularly relevant for farmers in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales. University of Queensland’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Alan Rix said the research would allow the development of on-farm... ...Read more »

Go Grains Health & Nutrition, Australia’s independent voice for grain foods and legumes in health and nutrition, has freshened up its image with a new name and logo.  From today, the organisation will be known as the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council. The re-brand follows a six month review process during which industry and key stakeholders of the incumbent Go Grains were consulted.  The organisation’s website, digital media and brochures will now reflect the new corporate identity. The... ...Read more »

Kellogg’s have released a new product for Australian shelves, All-Bran Fibre Toppers, to be marketed as a convenient way to improve digestive health. Made with natural wheat bran, oat fibre and psyllium husks, the small buds can be spread onto any food item. The marketing claims include the product being high in fibre, low in fat, and rich in vitamins and minerals B1 and B2, niacin, folate, iron, magnesium and zinc. The product promotes digestive health through consumption of fibre. Half a cup... ...Read more »

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today released a fresh version of a draft food Standard to govern the making of nutrition, health and related claims. This was foreshadowed by Australian Food News yesterday. The new version of this Standard is the 5th draft in 8 years. Further information about the new Standard will be made available by Australian Food News in the near future.  Read More →

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is expected this month to release for consultation a fresh version of draft Standard 1.2.7 Nutrition, Health and Related Claims. This will be FSANZ’s  fifth draft of the proposed Standard within the past 8 years. The regulatory issues surrounding the development, for inclusion in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, of a food standard to proscribe the advertising or label claims in Australia in relation to various health or nutritional or... ...Read more »