Welcome
to the September 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
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DATES
FOR YOUR DIARY
|
Date |
Events
|
|
September 7-9 |
|
|
September 17-18 |
International
Seminar on Functional Foods - Market,
Technology and Health Benefit Jakarta,
Indonesia
|
|
September 28 |
World Heart Day –
Theme “Women, heart disease and stroke”
www.worldheartday.org
|
NEW
FROM AFIC
Food Facts Asia
Issue 18 has been mailed to qualified subscribers, plus English and Thai
language versions are now available at
www.afic.org. The current issue includes articles on:
Most
Frequently Reported Food Safety and Nutrition News Topics in Asia
COMMENTS
ON MOST POPULAR TOPICS
Biotechnology
– This remains a popular topic for news reports. Stories reported
recently, include approval in Australia for commercial cultivation of
genetically enhanced canola crop varieties, and announcements by Indian
scientists of progress in developing high-protein potato.
Want to know
more?
A useful website, for information on many aspects of food and crop
biotechnology in this region can be found at
http://www.isaaa.org/kc/
Overweight
and obesity
– As more and more people recognize the benefits to health and
well-being of controlling body weight, press reporting of this topic
also continues to grow.
Want to know
more? A
useful website for information on sustainable and effective weight
management can be found at
www.intelihealth.com and then clicking on the weight management
hyperlink.
Children’s
diet and health
– Issues of under nutrition, as well as overweight, food allergy,
optimal nutrition are all important topics in the Asia Pacific region.
In recent months, the issue of overweight and obesity has been the
dominant theme. AFIC’s US-based sister organization, IFIC has developed
a website intended to support both children and their families in
achieving effective weight control and a healthful lifestyle.
Want to know
more?
Click on
www.kidnetic.com
Healthy
Lifestyles
– Public interest, in lifestyles and diet which reduce both risk of
premature onset, as well as the health consequences of degenerative
chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, osteoporosis
continues to increase, and there are many news article reflecting this
interest. The Nutrition Society of Malaysia maintains a fact-filled and
attractive website, with many tips of achieving a healthy lifestyle.
Want to know
more?
Click on
www.nutriweb.org.my
Food
Safety-microbial
- Microbial
contamination of food and water is by far the most common cause of
food-borne illness. Many food and hygiene experts assert that all cases
of microbial food-borne illness should be viewed as preventable, and yet
globally, the numbers of reported cases continue to rise. Simple but
consistent measures of food hygiene and basic knowledge of the causes of
microbial contamination are key. The World Health Organisation produces
a regular online food safety newsletter. To view and/or subscribe, click
on
www.who.int/fsf/Documents/Newsletter.
Supplements
and Functional foods
- Public interest in
these two relates topics remains strong, and those seeking improved
health and well-being through dietary means, have an increasing number
of products and ideas to choose from. However, many may find the range
of choices a little overwhelming. AFIC recently published an overview of
current understanding of the potential health benefits and limitations
of dietary supplements and functional foods. This can be found at
http://www.afic.org/FFA Issue 17 March 2003 - Dietary Supplements &
Functional Foods - An Overview.htm.
Labelling
and Regulations
– The chart illustrates a significantly stronger press interest in this
topic in Q1, compared to Q2 period. This reflects a short but intense
period of heightened public interest, following final deadline in
December 2002 for implementation in Australia and New Zealand of revised
food labeling standards, and more exact specifications on descriptive
wording allowed in the labelling and marketing of food products.
Want to know
more? Click on
www.foodstandards.gov.au
A pdf version of
ANZFSA information poster on labelling requirements can also be
downloaded at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/_srcfiles/final%20FSANZPosterV2.pdf
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
