Biotechnology (7%)

Coverage in Q2 of 2006 focused primarily on regulatory matters, particularly the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) confirmation that a European Union (EU) moratorium on GM foods was illegal, and India’s decision to adopt a new ‘event-based' clearance procedure. Other developments covered by the media included the signing of the treaty on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture by 102 countries and the EU, and comments from China indicating it is unlikely to give approval for commercial production of GM rice  this year, and that a government panel requires more data. Please follow the links for more information on “Biotechnology Communications - Making It Personal” in English, ภาษาไทย or 中文.

There was some regional coverage of the new World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards which confirms that children born anywhere in the world and given the optimum start in life have the potential to develop to within the same range of height and weight. Other significant items in the quarter include the issue of micronutrient deficiencies, to some degree driven by public comments from UNICEF and the World Bank. For more information about “Fortifying against the Hidden Hunger”, please follow the appropriate links to articles in English, ภาษาไทย or 中文.
 

Coverage in this category included reporting of food poisoning outbreaks in China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Korea as well as coverage of legal action against company for breaching Taiwanese company (and company executives) prosecuted for unacceptable quality standards Thai FDA decision to review guidelines for at home produced  canned bamboo shoots after  large scale botulism incident also attracted media interest . To read more about “How Safe Is Our Food?” please follow the links in English, ภาษาไทย or 中文.

Typically, a large portion of articles tracked were devoted to the many herbs, fruits and food types that are believed to have added health/ healing properties. Notable news in the quarter include the US FDA statement that current evidence on heart health benefits of green tea are "supportive" but not "conclusive",  and Singapore scientist’s study claims that sauce derived from fermented soya beans contains antioxidant properties about 10 times more effective than red wine and 150 times more potent than vitamin C. To read more about “Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods”, please click here. 

Many of the news reports tracked were advisory features on weight loss through diet modification, lifestyle changes, exercise, exclusively or in combination. There was coverage detailing the rise in obesity rates across the world – and reasons and trends contributing to this rise. Please follow the link to read more about “Some Questions and Answers on Weight Management for Young People”.

Japan reported new cases of BSE or mad cow disease and in the same period lifted import bans on US beef (as did China). There were also updates on scientific opinion on management of Avian Influenza (AI), ,and additional human cases as well ongoing research into vaccines and treatments continues to drive media and public interest during the second quarter of 2006. Whilst the majority of AI article were focused around the topics of pandemic preparedness, the incidences of AI cases, and the reactions of governments across the region, only a very small percentage of column inches was given to WHO message that fully cooked poultry and poultry products are safe for consumption. For more information, please refer to AFIC’s information resource “A Road Map for Safe Eating during Bird Flu” 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.