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Welcome to the August edition of AFICNews.

AFICNews is a free monthly e-bulletin, providing updates on current food safety, health and nutrition news trends around the Asia Pacific region. If you are not already subscribed, but would like your own monthly copy, please send a blank email to aficnews-subscribe@afic.org. If you do not wish to receive AFICNews, simply send a blank email to aficnews-unsubscribe@afic.org, and your name and address will be automatically removed from the list. In case of difficulties email info@afic.org with your request to subscribe or unsubscribe, and we can do the rest.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEW FROM AFIC

AFIC’s Weight Management section of website is now launched, with 11 sections: Miracle Diets, Dietary Fibre, Size Matters, Asian Feasts, Good Health, Am I Overweight?, Teenage Focus, Kids Corner, Appetite, Metabolism, Get Moving

For more information or journalist enquiries, email info@afic.org.

Most Frequently Reported Food Safety and Nutrition Topics

in Daily Press and Newswires Around the Asia Region

Note: These figures are based on simple counting method of topic headings and do not allow for differences in length or depth of feature articles.

COMMENTS ON MOST FREQUENTLY REPORTED ISSUES AREAS

Zoonotic Disease and Animal Health (26% of total, 1% misleading)

This newly created category is the most dominant issue area both this quarter and previous quarter, and is likely to continue to remain a major issue area. BSE and avian flu are primary focus, but also the recent outbreak of Streptococcus suis in China has generated media coverage and awakened dormant memories of SARS. Interest in diagnostic test accuracy, monitoring standards, vaccines etc have driven shift back from trade -focused coverage to more health focused reporting.  Also, low level but steady media interest in the veterinary use of approved and unapproved drugs, especially in China, Thailand and outside the Asia region. Go to WHO Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases Division, for more information.

Healthy lifestyles/Diets (10% of total, 1 % misleading)

Slight increase in media interest this quarter compared to last. Discernible media trends are greater emphasis on statistics, especially local prevalences, and costs associated with disease incidence; increasingly well recognized links between physical activity and health status (especially the impact of PA on overweight, Type 2 DM and heart disease); more stories which emphasize individual responsibility and choice. The launch of the US My Pyramid generated a small ripple of interest but in general journalists in this region seem to have found this too complex/irrelevant to base reports or features on. Heart disease also remains a strong focus of interest, with much interest in diet and lifestyles for prevention, as well as diet and lifestyle which increase risk. Go to ‘Good Health – The Medical Case for Effective Weight Management’, for more details.

Food safety – Microbial (9% total, 1% misleading)

Efforts by China, Thailand, India and Philippines to improve food safety standards and compliance have so far tended to spotlight failures in the countries and are thus having a negative impact on public perceptions and media response. Also, some major food poisoning incidents e.g. cholera in Indonesia have added to both volume and critical nature of press reporting.  Download the PDF format of AFIC ‘Preventing Food-Borne Illness from Farm to Plate Highlights of Best Practice’ document for more information.

Overweight/Obesity/Weight Management (8% of total, 1% misleading)

Steady interest with wide range of themes and approaches to news reports. The role of overweight in the development and progression of heart disease and Type 2 Diabetes is a common theme. Psychological implications of overweight (both as causal factor e.g. comfort eating, and in effective weight management e.g. appetite control) has gained more column inches. Small, but discernible increased interest in glycaemic index and its impact on insulin levels and weight management is also apparent. Try ‘Weight Creeping Up? A New AFIC Resource to Help You Find the Right Solution for YOU!".

Biotechnology (7% of total, 1% misleading)

Similar levels of coverage this quarter to last. Main drivers have been national policy discussions; anti-biotechnology activity in China, Thailand, and also allied activist groups efforts in Malaysia (Codex meeting on labeling in Kota Kinabalu, as well as local activities). The WHO Report on biotechnology which draws balanced science-based conclusions was released to limited interest but is likely to be helpful contribution to public understanding in the longer term. Go to ‘New Technology Twists for Some Favourite Staples’.

Children’s diets and health (6% of total, 1% misleading)

Media interest remains steady both in terms of total volume and split of interest between concerns around overweight and underweight/malnutrition. Malnutrition has been an issue of some importance in Indonesia this quarter; also India and Philippines.

Concerns related to excess consumption and overweight have been strongest in Malaysia, China, Thailand, China, Taiwan, and Pakistan. Go to ‘Focus on Tweenie Health’