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t_Articles
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W elcome
to the February 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
An English language executive
summary of
‘2004
Survey of Public Perceptions, Understanding and Acceptance of
Genetically Modified Plants and Animals in Thailand’
is now available from the AFIC website. This document summarises findings of a
large-scale quantitative survey commissioned by
Thailand’s
National Centre for Genetic
Engineering and Biotechnology, and published
early 2004.
For more information or journalist enquiries, email
info@afic.org.
Food
in the News: Comparing Topics in 2004 and 2005
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.
 C
OMMENTS
ON MOST POPULAR TOPICS
F unctional
Foods (Yr 2005-34%, Yr 2004-30%)
By far the most
popular theme in this magazine sample was the healthful properties of
vegetables, whole and juiced. Some articles, explained the benefits in terms of
disease risk reduction especially heart disease and cancer; others concentrated
on the possible beneficial active ingredients in generic terms (such as
antioxidants) and others referred to specific bioactive phytochemicals such as
lycopene. Other themes which received limited coverage were the benefits of
regular fruit consumption, soy foods, garlic, milk/dairy products, fermented
foods, fish, rice soup and wholegrain.
Click
here
for AFIC’s ‘Beating Cardiovascular Disease and Enjoying Life’ for more related
information on this topic.
O verweight/Obesity/Weight
Control
(Yr 2005-17%, Yr 2004-23%)
More than half the articles that
fell under this category were largely balanced and science-based, with
significant emphasis on the importance of physical activity, on establishing
long-term sustainable eating habits and the health benefits of weight loss and
effective weight management. Less balanced and more misleading articles focused
mainly on weight loss diets, with particular emphasis on miracle diets and foods
including grapefruit, Atkins, good and bad fats. The health benefits of
successful weight management were not strongly communicated.
For more information on how overweight and obesity impact on health and disease
risk, click on AFIC Information Resource ‘Healthy
Weight Advice, One Size Doesn’t Fit All’
H ealthy
Eating/Lifestyles
(Yr 2005-11%,
Yr 2004-5%)
Majority of articles tacked under
this heading were balanced and science-based. One article featured new Thai
government health promotion guidelines, and two articles were based on AFIC’s
recent Food Facts Asia article on the role of breakfast in achieving a balanced
healthful diet. Other themes included the role of canned food (fruit) in meeting
dietary goals, advice based on the ‘DASH’ diet principles to reduce blood
pressure, and advice to ensure adequate fluid intake; some explanations of good
vitamin sources and their role in health and a recommended ‘detox’ diet were
also tracked.
Click
here
for AFIC’s ‘Kick Start Your Day with Breakfast’ featured article, and for more
information on the role of canned foods in a healthy diet, try AFIC’s ‘A
Convenient Route to Healthy Eating’
article.
F ood
Safety – Microbial
(Yr 2005-7%,
Yr 2004-2%)
More than half the feature
articles tracked here were on the topic of avian flu, with all emphasising that
it was safe to eat well cooked chicken and eggs, and one article using AFIC’s
own Short Briefing on Avian Flu and Food Safety. Other topics covered include
the application of ozone in food preservation and tips to avoid food-borne
illness when eating outside the home.
Click on ‘AFIC
Short Briefing on Avian Flu and Food Safety’
for more information on this topic. For more tips on food safety whilst
travelling, click on ‘Safe
Eating Away from Home’
I nfant
Feeding
(Yr 2005-5%,
Yr 2004-2%)
The most common theme under this
heading was the benefits of breast feeding both for mother (e.g. post-partum
weight loss) and for baby (e.g. increased immunity). Other themes juxtaposed
concerns and potential benefits of dairy products in the diet of young children.
For more information on breast feeding, benefits, current practice and
prevalence, click on the
World Health Organisation’s webpage
C alcium/Dairy
Products
(Yr 2005-5%, Yr
2004-5%)
Featured themes
under this heading were prevention of osteoporosis by ensuring adequate calcium
intake, the importance of adequate calcium intake during pregnancy, and
discussion on recommendations and reviews of optimal dietary calcium intake.
For more information, click on
AFIC’s 2005 News Release for
2004 World Osteoporosis Day ‘Bone up with Calcium, Vitamin
D and Exercise - Simple tips to Beat Osteoporosis from AFIC'
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
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