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Welcome to the January 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

Responding to consumers’ enquiries, AFIC has recently posted up-to-date information on MSG called “Boosting the flavour – a Q and A guide to MSG” on our website. The information includes a list of all of the major scientific reviews into the safety of MSG as well as questions and answers on the production and use of MSG.

Food Facts Asia, issue 31 is launched and distributed to subscribers. The html (English, Chinese and Thai) and PDF (English only) versions are also available on AFIC’s website. The topics included in this issue are:

·         Winning the Food Fight - English, ภาษาไทย or 中文

·         Are all Calories Equal - English, ภาษาไทย or 中文

·         Eating and Environment - English, ภาษาไทย or 中文

·         NewsBites - English, ภาษาไทย or 中文

·         Download PDF (English language only)

Food in the News: Most Frequently Reported Food Safety and Nutrition Topics

in Daily Press and Newswires around the Asian Region

August-October 2007 (Q3) Compared to May-July 2007 (Q2)

Note: These figures are based on simple counting method of topic headings and do not allow for

differences in length or depth of articles.

Comments on Most Frequently Reported Topics

Zoonotic Disease & Animal Health (25% of total coverage)

Avian Influenza continues to be the most dominant topic tracked by AFIC in the regional press. Several human deaths due to bird flu are recorded in Indonesia and also Vietnam confirmed one victim. Although the H5N1 strain of avian influenza rarely passes to humans, two new studies also indicated the human-to-human transmission of the deadly strain of the virus. A second animal disease receiving quite some media attention is Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), commonly known as blue ear disease. Outbreaks of bleu ear disease were recorded in China, Vietnam and Myanmar. PRRS can not spread to human beings. Read ‘A Road Map for Safe Eating during Bird Flu’ in English, ภาษาไทย or 中文, a few essential hygiene tips that AFIC recommends when dealing with poultry products.

Food Safety-Chemical (19 % of total coverage)

Following the series of food safety scares related to contaminated products made in China reported during Q2 of 2007, media attention both in the regional and international press for the quality of Chinese food products remained high. The global media spotlight is now on China's food safety standards and regulations. Several initiatives have subsequently been launched by the Chinese government to improve its safety record and reputation. Other food safety issues that gained media attention during the period are: ractopamine, an antibiotic, residues in US meat products; the ban of Red 2G, a food coloring agent, by the Malay authorities; a UK based study showing evidence of some connection between certain mixtures of colourings and the preservative sodium benzoate and hyperactivity in children; international concerns over bisphenol A, a phthalate, used in plastic containers. For more information about food safety read AFIC’s press release 'Food safety-what should we worry about?', in English or ภาษาไทย

Biotechnology (9% of total coverage)  

Several notable events have been monitored in the region during Q3. In India, the government continues to support more widespread cultivation of biotech crops. The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) approved large scale field trials for Bt brinjal. By about 2009 this crop resistant eggplant is expected to be the first genetically engineered food crop in South Asia. India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests announced a major shift in its regulatory practices by agreeing to allow processed biotech food. In the Philippines, a study conducted by the Philippine Rice Research Institute showed that most consumers are likely to accept the country's genetically modified rice, which is expected to be commercially available by 2011. A top biotechnology expert of the Department of Agriculture has reassured consumers that all genetically modified organisms approved for commercial release, whether for food, feed or processing, are safe and pose no health risks to consumers and have been proven scientifically to have no danger to the environment. In Thailand the discussion continues whether or not to lift the moratorium on field trials of biotechnology crops. To learn more about food biotechnology, open AFIC’s animation clip Introduction to Biotechnology, A Beginner's Guide.

Children’s Diet & Health (7% of total coverage)

Important media coverage about efforts undertaken by governments and public health authorities in order to educate children about eating a well-balanced diet as an effective means to overcome diet-related problems like obesity and diabetes. The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has published a guide to healthy eating for Chinese children and their parents in an attempt to halt growing obesity levels; in Taiwan a program to support greater physical activity levels is launched; the South Korean Education Ministry announced plans to ban the sale of carbonated drinks and instant noodles in schools; the FAO announced the launch of a new comprehensive guide for the development of nutrition education practices in primary schools. Regulatory interventions and NGO campaigns on food marketing and advertising to children also continue to get headlines both in the regional and international press. For more information on how to steer your children in making healthy food choices read AFIC’s 'Winning the Food Fight', in English, ภาษาไทย or 中文

Healthy Eating & Lifestyle (6% of total coverage)  

Several articles tracked under this category highlight many tips on how to improve the health factor of the every day diet. Most of the guidelines are recurrent: start the day with a healthy breakfast, eat at least 5 portions of fruit/vegetables, cut back on bad fats, and reduce portions. The Glycemic Index (GI) as a measure for a healthy ‘good carb’ diet seems to be controversial. A US study published this quarter claims that quick-burning carbohydrate foods, characterized by a high GI, such as cookies, doughnuts and white bread make people vulnerable to weight gain, fatty liver and diabetes. This is in contradiction with an article published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association quoting the analysis from peer-reviewed, scientific research on carbohydrate consumption, glycemic index and body weight and on the correlation between them. The findings run counter to the current consensus on the effects of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ carbohydrates. According to the study, consuming lots of high-glycemic foods is not associated with higher body weights. In fact, several large studies in the United States revealed that high-glycemic diets were linked to better weight control. For more information on carbohydrates and their role in a healthy diet read AFIC’s 'The Low-down on Carbohydrates', in English, ภาษาไทย or 中文