Food


ROUND UP: Moderate salt reduction benefits questioned (The Cochrane Library/ American Journal of Hypertension)* – experts respond

Wed Jul 6, 2011

Embargo lifted 9am AEST Wed 6 July A review of scientific literature suggests moderate reductions in salt intake don’t lead to reduced risk of a person suffering cardiovascular events or dying prematurely.

RAPID ROUNDUP: Radioactivity in Japanese food and tap water

Thu Mar 24, 2011

On March 24, 2011, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced a Holding Order on ‘foods of interest’ from four areas of Japan. This is not a ban, instead it means that all the relevant imports will be checked.

RAPID ROUNDUP: Effects of radioactive materials – Japanese expert responds

Wed Mar 23, 2011

For those of you still following the nuclear situation in Japan, please find comments compiled by our colleagues at the Science Media Centre of Japan. The SMCJ was able to translate the comments thanks to a grant from the Australia-Japan Foundation.

RAPID ROUNDUP: Review of food labelling – expert responds

Mon Jan 31, 2011

An independent panel led by former federal Health Minister Neal Blewett delivered the Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy 2011 to the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King on Friday. Here an expert comments on the review and recommendations.

RAPID ROUNDUP: Public attitudes towards biotechnology in Australia – experts respond

Mon Oct 25, 2010

The Federal Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research has today released a nationwide study of community attitudes toward biotechnologies. The biannual report looks at peoples’ acceptance of a variety of technologies including stem cells, GM foods and cloned meat.

RAPID ROUNDUP: Australian research questions the benefit of taking fish oil during pregnancy (JAMA) – experts respond

Wed Oct 20, 2010

EMBARGO lifted at 7am AEDT on Wednesday 20 October 2010 Research led by The University of Adelaide challenges advice that pregnant women increase their intake of fish oil. The study, published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that consumption of fish oil during pregnancy did not decrease post-natal depression or [...]

MEDIA BRIEFING: Food stress – the pressures on our food supply

Fri Sep 24, 2010

ONLINE BACKGROUND BRIEFING – Monday September 27 at 10.30am AEST online As food prices keep rising, food security sits at the top of national and international agendas. Experts predict food prices will continue to climb up to 45 per cent during the next decade compared with the previous one, making cheap processed food a more [...]

RAPID ROUNDUP: Choice’s Bisphenol A study – experts respond

Thu Sep 2, 2010

Choice has released a study into the presence of Bisphenol A in canned food products on Australian supermarket shelves. Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an industrial chemical often used in plastic and metal food packaging. It can pose health risks if the amounts consumed are large enough.