Biotechnology (6% of Total Coverage)
Biotechnology coverage in the quarter focused primarily on regulatory matters,
with notable events in India with the progression of the Food Safety and
Standards Bill 2005, where implementation is expected early 2007 and the Genetic
Engineering Approval Committee formally adopted the new “event-based approval
system” for biotech products approval. Other significant events include Spain’s
approval of 11 new transgenic maize varieties, bringing to 45 the total number
of biotech varieties that can be planted commercially in the country; and the
Malaysia’s PM endorsing the National Biosafety Act. Please follow the link to
view a video clip on
“An Introduction to Biotechnology: A
Beginner’s Guide”.
Food Safety – Microbial (13% of total coverage)
More than
doubling the second quarter’s coverage of 6%, the 13% dedicated to this category
focused on mass food poisoning incidents across the region, particularly those
attributed to canteen services in China, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand
and Singapore; There are also growing levels of attention directed towards the
substandard levels of food safety and hygiene standards amongst street food
vendors. For more information about “Traceability Technology: A Boost for Food
Safety”, please follow the appropriate links in
English,
ภาษาไทย
or
中文.
Healthy Eating & Lifestyles (13% of total coverage)
This
category has always commanded consistently high interest and this quarter is no
different, recording 13% of total coverage in the quarter. Notable items
included the coverage of a range of national surveys across the region, touching
on fitness and obesity trends, and consumption patterns. For more information
about “A Convenient Route to Healthy Eating” please follow the appropriate links
in
English,
ภาษาไทย,
中文 or
한글.
Infant Feeding (5% of total coverage)
World
Breastfeeding Week in August created a focus for build up of public commentary,
increasing the coverage by 2% over the previous quarter’s 3%. A wide range of
issues relating to infant feeding were covered ranging form regulatory issues,
to marketing and advertising of infant formula, to coverage of the latest
research. For more information on “Promoting Proper Feeding for Infants and
Young Children”, please click
here.
Overweight / Obesity / Weight Control (11% of total
coverage)
There was
significant coverage in this category in the quarter, with sizeable focus on
discussions at the International Congress on Obesity in Australia. In addition,
there was also coverage of Hong Kong’s Healthy Lunchbox campaign, as well as the
usual variety of articles on weight reduction and weight control. Please follow
the link to read more about “Portion
Size: Size Matters”.
Soft Drinks / Fluids / Hydration (15% of total coverage)
Extensive
national and regional coverage from India relating to allegations on pesticides
contamination of Indian cola drinks. The elevated media interest in this issue
is reflected by the five fold increase in coverage compared to the second
quarter. The majority of article presented the various views of different
stakeholder groups involved in the situation. Please refer to AFIC information
resource on “Short Briefing on Pesticides and Food Safety” in
English,
ภาษาไทย,
中文 or
한글
for more information.
Zoonotic Diseases & Animal Health (8% of total coverage)
Coverage in
this category recorded a 5% decrease from the second quarter’s 13%, although
remains an area of interest to the regional press. Coverage on Avian Influenza
(AI) for the quarter sees much interest in Indonesia’s handling of the
outbreaks, and China’s confirmation that there were fatalities 2 year prior to
the 1st reported case. Other issues covered include the resumption of
US beef imports in Korea and Japan, and tracking of the Hand Foot and Mouth
Disease in a selection of South East Asian countries. For more information on
“Cooked Chicken is Safe to Eat – Its Confirmed!”, please follow the appropriate
links in
English,
ภาษาไทย
or
中文.
The Asian Food information Centre
is a not-for profit Singapore-registered organization Its mission is to
effectively communicate sound science based information on food safety, health
and nutrition to the media and other key audiences in Asia.
