Biotechnology (7% of Tracked 2006 Coverage)

Single issue activism, in a number of countries in the Asia region is a significant driver for media coverage. Regulatory progress for research and development, cultivation and consumption of agri-biotechnology food and feed crops also provides stimulus for media. The International Service for Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Application’s much respected Annual Review of adoption of agri-biotechnology crops is useful source of factual data for the region’s media on the increasing levels of acceptance amongst farmers in Asia and other regions of the world. An Executive Summary of the 2006 Review can be found at                                                                            http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/35/executivesummary/default.html.

Food Safety – Microbial (9% of Tracked 2006 Coverage)

Microbial food contamination remains a very major, preventable cause of illness in the region. Failings in simple food hygiene practices are thought to be the principle cause, but with the majority of cases unreported, comprehensive risk assessment and analysis has not been possible. As well as examples, of failures, media coverage is increasingly highlighting opportunities for improvements in food hygiene standards. Media could play an even more active and valuable role in supporting educational and regulatory efforts steps for prevention. For example, by spotlighting training initiatives for food service operators, particularly in the informal sector such as street vendors; improvements in national infrastructure through the use of systems such as HACCP and vertically integrated food safety strategies. AFIC has been active in promoting visibility of WHO’s global food hygiene message, the Five Keys to Safer Food. For copies of supporting resources for this strategy, click on                                                      http://www.who.int/foodsafety/consumer/5keys/en/.

Food Safety – Chemical (6% of Tracked 2006 Coverage)

Chemical food safety continues to attract high levels of media interest, and public concern, despite the very low levels of proven illness due to chemical contamination. Range of media approaches in 2006 are similar to 2005: In decreasing order of frequency, media focus has been on intentional use or excessive use of trace substances; unsubstantiated allegations by campaign groups of the risks of chemical components that are approved for use on the basis of scientific confirmation of their safety; unintentional presence of substances for which research evidence of safety is not yet clear. In all instances, levels of public alarm are disproportionately amplified by irresponsible actions of minority groups, and tend to distract public attention away from the major quantifiable food safety risks to human health. A global monitoring system for food contamination, commonly known as GEMS, provides factual data on actual exposure levels and trends. To learn more about this programme, click on                                                     http://www.who.int/foodsafety/chem/gems/en/.

Healthy Eating & Lifestyles (15% of Tracked Coverage)

Increased press coverage of this topic mirrors the rise in prevalence of premature chronic, degenerative, non-communicable disease (NCCD).  Strategies to encourage eating and behaviour change for prevention are still not clear, but many practitioners agree that consumers may benefit from better understanding of nutrient and energy content of foods. One tool available towards this outcome, is information carried on food packaging and labels. AFIC and sister organizations have been researching how to maximize impact of packaging and label nutrition information. Their learnings to date, and recommendations for future research and development of nutrient and energy information on packaging are available for review in audio format. 

Overweight / Obesity / Weight Management (7% of Tracked Coverage)

Discussion and debate on how best to tackle rising levels of overweight and obesity around the world are inevitably closely linked to discussions on healthy eating and lifestyles for prevention of NCCD. Overweight and obesity is a primary risk factor in the development of NCCD, including cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. A large body of evidence for the central role of overweight and obesity in the incidence of NCCD, collated by WHO prior to the launch of its global strategy for diet and physical activity in the prevention of NCCD, can be found in the WHO Technical Report 916, which can be accessed at                                              http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/en/.

Soft Drinks / Fluid / Hydration (6% of Tracked Coverage)

All fluids can contribute to total fluid intake (hydration) needs. Replacing water naturally lost through daily body functions including digestion and excretion, perspiration; respiration and repair and renewal 100%, on daily basis is essential. The second most fundamental fluid intake requirement for human health is that fluid sources should be fit for human consumption. A great deal of media coverage tracked in 2005 and 2006 made no reference to these basic principles, and focused on hypothetical concerns regarding trace contaminants, which may mislead their audiences to overlook fundamental objectives of fluid consumption. For guidance on daily fluid and associated electrolyte needs, a useful resource is the US Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride, and Sulfate (2004), which is available at http://books.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10925.

Zoonotic Diseases & Animal Health (20% of Tracked Coverage)

Media interest in BSE remains limited and unhelpful in addressing consumer concerns about the safety of beef consumption. Global statistics indicate prevalence of BSE declining rapidly, and expert opinion now estimates the risk to be very low to negligible.

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.