World Salt Awareness week is being held from Monday March 11th to Sunday 17th March. This years theme is Less Salt Please, showing how you can reduce the salt in your diet without compromising taste and flavour. For more information visit World Action on Salt website.
The Nutrition, Health and Related Claims Standard ( 1.2.7) of the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code became law on January 18, 2013. The Standard which is backed by scientific evidence, aims to reduce the occurrence of misleading and false claims about food and health being made on food labels and in advertising.
With children returning to preschool and school after the holiday break, the Australian Food Information Council has issued tips to ensure that packed lunches are kept safe to eat. Young chldren are particularly vulnerable to food poisoning so it's important that carers and parents are reminded about the importance of preparing and storing packed lunches safely.
In early 2013, Standard 1.2.7 Nutrition, Health and Related Claims in the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code will finally become law and companies will have 3 years to meet its requirements. The Standard, which has been discussed for some years, will regulate nutrient content and health claims made on food labels and in advertising. The Standard will not apply to infant formula products.
The revised Australian Dietary Guidelines together with the revised Australian Guide to Healthy Eating and Infant Feeding Guidelines are now expected to be released in early 2013. Further information can be found on the Eat for Health website.
This week, 12th to 18th November, is Australian Food Safety Week with its theme cross contamination. Cross contamination occurs when bacteria and viruses are transferred from one contaminated surface to another surface which is not contaminated. This transfer of bad bacteria and viruses, especially in food preparation areas, puts consumers at risk of food poisoning.
The first results from the Australian Health Survey 2011-2012 show that 25.3% of children aged 5-17 years are overweight or obese, with more girls being overweight or obese than boys (27.1% vs 23.6%). On a more positive note, the level of overweight and obesity appears to have stablilized with no change from the 2007-2008 survey.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) has added a 5 page Appendix titled Australian Dietary Guidelines through an environmental lens, to the yet to be released updated Australian Dietary Guidelines. Comments are requested by close of business on the 2nd November.
