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The European Parliament is aware of the need of an urgent global response to rising food costs caused by climate change, a lack of supply, higher demand and consumption and record oil prices, however the most damaging factor is that investors have moved from oil to commodities, artificially inflating prices in order to make bigger profits.
Global food prices rise 45 per cent in nine months. A UN intervention on global trade of rice, wheat maize, soy palmoil, and canola is necessary to counter artificial inflation of food prices at the stock market.
How to counter global hunger
Moratorium on biofuels: The UN has called for a five-year moratorium on biofuels. Growing crops for fuel is more profitable than planting food crops.
Rethink the biofuel politics: UK will rethink their biofuel politic. The European Commission, however decided in February to rise the level of biofuel up to 10% by 2020. Germany tries to rise the content of bioalcohol from 5% to 10% in German petrol by 2009. Stop such enormous monocultures of rape see, Soy, castor oil and palmoil in Argentina, Brazil. These plantations use the best soil for cereals and they destroy the rain forests. The corn belt of USA should get back to produce food for humans and not alcohol as fuel. [1]
Cut the set-aside land subvention: Cut the set-aside land subvention of 6,5 Million Hectares being 1,6 Billion EURO/year for farmers to do nothing. Every farmer which produces more than 92 ton cereals/year is forced to set-aside 10% of his land, for which he then gets the set-aside subventions. [2]
Reduction of meat consumption in industrial countries: Meat farming consumes enormous amount of cereals which otherwise could be used as human nutrition. Eating more vegetables and fruits is healthy and helps to reduce food shortage.
Save the climate to secure global food supply, but how to do it? [3] : Strange suggestions like geoengineering are being elaborated with highly subsidized projects:
- Bomb the atmosphere with sulphur particles to becloud the sun (Paul Crutzer, costs some billion Dollar);
- Position a solar sail between the sun and the earth to shadow the earth (Lowel Wood and Roger Augel, costs 100 Billion Dollar);
- Nebulise sea water ot get clouds whiter (John Latham and Stephen Salter); add fertiliser to the sea with iron sulphate (Alfred Wegener-Institut AWI Bremerhaven Germany);
- Sequestrate CO2 from the atmosphere; reforest and burn wood (Elmar Kriegler and Joshuah Stolaroff, Potsdam Institut für Klimafolgenforschung PIK, Germany, costs 100 to 170 Billion Dollars).
Simple and effective, the Arabian solution
Offshore Wind Energy increase solar energy and cooperate with Arabian states to develop solar electricity and production on hydrogen in the Arabian deserts. Hydrogen from solar energy may provide plenty clean fuel for transportation. [4]
The Arabian solution based on solar electricity and hydrogen for transportation was built on researches from Kosuke Kurokawa [5] and the Buckminster Fuller's Electrical Grid [6].
The Arabian solution is planed to start its production of clean electricity and hydrogen by electrolysis of water in 2009. It is a financial enterprise of Arabian countries to minor the dependence of fossil energy. The emerging Arabian technology will leave behind western dreamt away science and will secure leadership in the hydrogen fuel economy.
[1] Die Flächenstilllegung im Rahmen der Agrarpolitik. Konzept, Perspektiven und agrarpolitischer Handlungsbedarf aus Sicht von Naturschutz und Jagd. 18.September 2003
http://www.ljv-hessen.de/Positionspapier180903.pdf
[2] Agriculture in the European Union: Statistical and economic information 2002 www.europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/index_de.htm
[3] Spiegel Online: Sechs Notoperationen fürs Weltklima. 25.04.2008
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/natur/0,1518,548857-6,00.html
[4] Arabian Desert Energy Consortium Proposal
www.desertenergyproject.net
[5] Energy from the Desert
http://www.energyfromthedesert.com
[6] Martin I. Hoffert and colleagues: Advanced Technology Paths to Global Climate Stability: Energy for a Greenhouse Planet Science 1 Nov. 2002: Vol. 298. no. 5595, pp. 981 987 Doi: 10.1126/science.1072357.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/298/5595/981
25.04.2008: Newcastle Disease in pigeons in Germany [1]
Friedrich-Loeffler Institute in Germany confirmed the outbreak of paramyxovirus-1 Newcastle Disease in pigeons at the border of Bavaria with Austria on 22.4.2008. The Veterinarian Dr. Barbara Hohhmann reported 33 cases at a farm in Rottal-Inn Bayerbach. The applied control measures were quarantine, movement control inside the country, zoning and disinfection of infected premises.
Chickens, turkeys, pigeons and ducks may be affected. In ducks the disease is rarely diagnosed but causes production drops and fertility problems. Mammals may be occasionally affected, such as conjunctivitis in man. [2]
[1] OIE: Immediate Notification: Report reference: ND in pigeons-2008, Ref OIE: 6996, Report Date: 23/04/2008 , Country: Germany 23.04.2008.
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000006996_20080423_123207.pdf
[2] ThePoultrySite Quick Disease Guide: Newcastle Disease (Paramyxovirus-1)
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/111/newcastle-disease-paramyxovirus-1
25.04.2008: EU increase age of cattle for BSE removal to reduce costs [1]
The European Commission Regulation EC 357/2008 of 22.04.2008 raising the age limit at which the bovine vertebral column must be removed from beef from 24 to 30 months. [2]
The Regulation, based on scientific advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), increases the age at which the vertebral column of slaughtered cattle must be removed from 24 to 30 months. This measure was possible due to the improvement in the BSE situation and was considered to be safe up to 33 month of age by EFSA in 2007. [3]
The vertebral column is included in the EU list of Specified Risk Material (SRM), considered to pose the greatest risk of BSE transmission, and is required to be removed and destroyed in bovine animals over a certain age, to prevent it entering the food and feed chain.
The European Commission says that the higher age limit for vertebral column removal rises the competitiveness of farmers and meat industries, and to reduces the cost of destruction of SMR waste.
[1] European Commission: Beef on the bone: Commission increases the age limit at which the vertebral column must be removed from beef. 22.04.2008.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/08/624&format=HTML&aged=0
&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
[2] Commission Regulation (EC) No 357/2008 of 22 April 2008 amending Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:111:0003:0004:EN:PDF
[3] European Food Safety Authority: Opinion of the Scientific Panel on biological hazards (BIOHAZ) on on the assessment of the likelihood of the infectivity in SRM derived from cattle at different age groups estimated by back calculation modelling. 19/04/2007
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620774854.htm
24.04.2008: Genetic dependence to nicotine [1]
Scientists from an EU-supported consortium have discovered that a mutation in a human gene confers nicotine dependence. They have shown that a particular variant of a nicotine-receptor gene impacts smoking behaviour and hence confers a 30% increase in risk of lung cancer and a 20% increase in risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), a common and debilitating constriction of the arteries to the legs.
Roughly half of the people of European descent carry at least one copy of this genetic variant, which does not influence smoking initiation, but makes it more difficult to quit. The results stem out from the European project GENADDICT (Genomics, mechanisms and treatment of addiction)
The mutation which contributes to nicotine addiction is located on chromosome 15q24 and affects one nicotine-acetylcholine receptor in the brain. A study of 11,000 Icelandic smokers participating in the research showed that the mutation is more common in heavier smokers than in smokers overall and in the general population. It was also correlated with likelihood of clinical diagnosis of nicotine dependence. Comparisons between current and past smokers showed that people carrying this variant tend to smoke more and are less likely to quit smoking. Interestingly, the variant is less common among smokers who smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day than it is among non-smokers, supporting the notion that the mutation does not influence smoking initiation, but rather confers risk of nicotine dependence among those who start.
Through understanding the genetics of addiction the GENADDICT research may give new insight into its biological basis, and into the dysfunction of the addicted brain. It is likely to boost the development of new treatments and strategies against this serious disease.
[1] European Commission: Smoking genes? European scientists discover the first case of a genetic dependence to nicotine. News Alert Brussels, 3 April 2008
http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=newsalert&lg=en&year=2008&na=na-030408
24.04.2008 Potentials of phages in food industry [1]
The attempts to treat diseases including dysentery, typhoid and paratyphoid fevers, cholera and pyogenic urinary tract infections have not always succeeded due to the difficulty to select the specific phage, incorrect identification of the bacterium or the mixture of bacteria which was causing the disease. Other problems were the gastric acidity which destroyed the phages, and sometimes deterioration of the patient following the release of endotoxin of the lyzed bacteria.
Research on phages becomes new priority with the spreading of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Development of phage therapy is attractive offering low cost compared with antibiotics, can be used in food industry to reduce risk contamination with pathogenic bacteria during processing.
Steven Hagens and Mark L Offerhaus, both from EBI Food Safety in the Netherlands, working the application of phages in food industry, say that phages may be used to disinfect working surfaces and even food during processing. They stress, however, that the number of phages in a solution must be very high in order to get in contact with the bacterium to be eliminated.
[1] Hagens, Steven; Offerhaus, Mark L.: Bacteriphages - new weapons for food safety. April 2008, Volume 62, No. 4
http://members.ift.org/NR/rdonlyres/2229BBEE-DED6-44AB-990C-841A555C5D2C/0/0408feat
_safety.pdf
24.04.2008: Diet in the preconceptional phase influences foetal sex [1]
Dr. Mathews, Johnson and Neil in 2008 presented a report which says that foetal sex is associated with maternal diet at conception.
High caloric intake and cereals at breakfast in the preconceptional phase favour the birth of male child with odds of 56 %. High energy intake and breakfast cereal consumption around conception is associated with glucose. In vitro, glucose enhances the growth and development of male conceptuses while inhibiting that of females. Skipping breakfast extends the normal period of nocturnal fasting, depresses circulating glucose levels and may be interpreted by the body as indicative of poor environmental conditions.
For many nutrients, circulating levels are highly dependent on recent intakes and not on stored fat reserves. Glucose levels are influenced by the glycaemic index of foods. This supports the assumption that sex ratio is linked more directly to diet than to maternal condition.
The intake of sodium, and potassium was also a factor which affected gender. As possible explanation the researchers suggest that salty diet alter the acidity of the vagina to favour male sperm.
Women in the study who had girls had low caloric food reduced cereals at breakfast in the time before conception.
The authors also point out that these findings may help to explain the falling proportion of boys born in developed countries, where low-calorie diets are preferred by young women.
[1] Mathews, Fiona; Johnson, Paul J.; Neil, Andrew: You are what your mother eats: evidence for maternal preconception diet influencing foetal sex in humans. Royal Society Publishing: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biology Sciences. 22.04.2008 Doi: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0105
http://journals.royalsociety.org/content/w260687441pp64w5/fulltext.pdf
23.04.2008: Call for vitamin D supplementation of risk-group [1]
Bruce Ames and Joyce McCann in a critical review write that there is evidence to suggest an important role for vitamin D in brain development and function.
The authors comment previous studies in both human and animal models which indicate that inadequate levels of vitamin D may also produce cognitive or behavioural consequences, although the evidence is not conclusive for the moment.
The authors conclude that despite residual uncertainty, recommendations for vitamin D supplementation of at-risk groups, including nursing infants, the elderly, and African-Americans appear warranted to ensure adequacy.
[1] McCann, Joyce C.; Ames, Bruce N. : Review Article: Is there convincing biological or behavioral evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to brain dysfunction. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal. Volume 22, Pages 982-1001 doi: 10.1096/fj.07-9326rev.
http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/4/982
23.04.2008: Hydroxytyrosol from olives may enhance antioxidant stability of fish products [1]
Hydroxytyrosol is the main antioxidant compound in olives and was found by Manuel Pozos and colleagues 2008 to enhance the oxidative stability of bulk fish oil, oil-in-water emulsions, and frozen minced fish muscle. Hydroxytyrosol is therefore being suggested by the authors of the study, as a substitute for synthetic preservatives such as butylhydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylhydroxytoluene (BHT).
Fish, Fishoil and fish product are very quickly oxidized and develop fishy and rancid smell and taste due to a high content of unsatirated bond of their fatty acids.
Tha authors recommend a concentration of 50 ppm of hydroxytyrosol to potect R-tocopherol (approximately 300 micrograms per gram of fat), and both 50 and 100 ppm of hydroxytyrosol to preserve completely omega-3 PUFAs
[1] Pazos, Manuel; Alonso, Isabel; Sánchez, Ana; Medina, Isabel: Hydroxytyrosol Prevents Oxidative Deterioration in Foodstuffs Rich in Fish Lipids. ASAP Article, 22-Apr-2008; doi: 10.1021/jf073403s
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/asap/abs/jf073403s.html
22.04.2008: L-cysteine and Calcium chloride are promising additives to reduce acrylamide potato chips[1]
Frederic Mestdagh and colleagues 2008 found L-cysteine to reduce the acrylamide content in the most effective way, with a reduction of about 92 per cent. L-lysine and glycine were found less effective additives in the study.
Organic acids like citric, acetic, and L-lactic acid reduced the acrylamide content but not as much as L-cysteine or calcium chloride. The acrylamide lowering effect of the organic acids was related to a low pH. [1]
Dipping potatoes in a solution of Calcium chloride was found to inhibit the formation of acrylamide by up to 95% during frying according to the study of Gökmen and Senyuva 2007. [2]
The inhibition of acrylamide formation of ferulic acid, catechin, calcium chloride, sodium bisulfite and l-cysteine were tested by Shiyi Ou and colleagues 2007 and found l-cysteine the most efficient agent but CaCl2 is most potential. They suggest the immersion of potato slices in CaCl2 solution at 5 g/L to reduced acrylamide formation by more than 85% in fried crisps. [3]
[1] Mestdagh, F.; Maertens, J.; Cucu, T.; Delporte, K.; Van Peteghem, C.; De Meulenaer, B.: Impact of additives to lower the formation of acrylamide in a potato model system through pH reduction and other mechanism. Food Chemistry s 1 March 2008, Volume 107, Issue 1, Pages 26-31.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2007.07.013
[2] Gökmen, Vural; Şenyuva, Hamide Z.: Acrylamide formation is prevented by divalent cations during the Maillard reaction. Food Chemistry. Vol 103 issue 1 2007 pages 196-203
http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.08.011
[3] Ou, Shiyi; Lin, Qilin; Zhang, Yuping; Huang, Caihuan; Sun, Xi; Fu, Liang: Reduction of acrylamide formation by selected agents in fried potato crisps on industrial scale. Inovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. Vol 9 issue 1 January 2008, Pages 116-121.
http://dx.doi.or/10.1016/j.ifset.2007.06.008
22.04.2008: Glass, the best packaging material for yogurts [1]
Saint-Eve and colleagues 2008 studied the influence of packaging polymers (polypropylene or polystyrene) and glass on yogurts with 0% or 4%-fat content during the 28 days of storage at 4 °C. The authors found that 0%-fat yogurt conditioned in glass displayed the lowest aroma quantity decrease of the three types of packagings. Polystyrene packaging was found to be preferable before polypropylene in limiting aroma compound losses and for avoiding odour and aroma defects. The 4%-fat yogurts were less affected by the packagings.
[1] Saint-Eve, A.; Lévy, C.; Le Moigne, M.; Ducruet, V.; Souchon, I.: Quality changes in yogurt during storage in different packaging materials. Food Chemistry Volume 110, Issue 2, 15 September 2008, Pages 285-293
http://dx.doi.org/101016/j.foodchem.2008.01.070
22.04.2008: Production of biodegradable plastic for packaging and others applications increases [1]
BASF will increase its production of biodegradable plastics up to 60.000 Tons/year by 2010. Ecoflex, a is petrochemical-derived, fully biodegradable, complying with DIN EN 13432 (requirements for compostability) and Ecovio is 45 per cent polylactic acid- based. It is being increasingly sought after by food processors as both a renewable and bio-based source of packaging coatings. Both product rages are petrochemical based. Starch substitutes only partially the oil derivates.
According to BASF the materials are used to make carrier bags, compostable can liners, mulch film, food wrapping, and for other applications. Both properties – biodegradability and a high renewable raw material content – are increasingly sought after in the competitive global materials market.\\
\\
Biodegradable and renewable packagings face almost threefold prices compared with traditional plastics. The requirement of full compostability in 90 days according to DIN EN 13432 must be fulfilled. Last but not least only 45 per cent comes from renewable sources. 55\% are still petrochemicals.
[1] BASF Group: BASF announces major bioplastics production expansion 17.04.2008.
http://media.basf.com/en/presse/mitteilungen/pm.htm?pmid=3068&id=V00-2wKyYCA42bcp45_
22.04.2008: Most of the healthy flavonoids are lost during industrial processing of cocoa [1]
Alkalization is used in the cocoa processing to make it easier to mix, digest and to correct its colour.
Andres-Lacueva and colleagues 2008 found a loss of flavonoids between 60 and 86 percent during the alkalinization process.
The authors concluded that the alkalinization treatment of cocoa can affect the antioxidant properties and the polyphenol biovailability of natural cocoa powder products. They call for a compromise between colour and phenolic content, especially for cocoa powder products derived from alkalised cocoa powder.
[1] Andres-Lacueva, C.; Monagas, M.; Khan, N.; Izquierdo-Pulido, M.; Urpi-Sarda, M.; Permanyer, J.; Lamuela-Raverntos, R.M.: Flavanol and Flavanol Contents of Cocoa Powder Products: Influence of the Manufacturing Process. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Published online ahead of print April 2008, doi: 10.1021/jf0728754
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/jafcau/asap/abs/jf0728754.html
22.04.2008: Substitute for locustbean gum from Egypt[1]
Yamazaki and colleagues using an ammonium sulphate fractionation technique extracted the hydrocolloid from leaves of Corchorus olitorius, a relative of jute. The yield of the hydrocolloid was 6.0%
The authors concluded that a new hydrocolloid may be won from this Egyptian Weed, and may become a substitute for locust bean gum.
[1] Eiji Yamazaki, Osamu Kurita, Yasuki Matsumura: Hydrocolloid from leaves of Corchorus olitorius and its synergistic effect on kappa-carrageenan gel strength. Food Hydrocolloids Volume 22, Issue 5, Pages 819-825 doi:101016/j.foodhyd.2007.03.009 ScienceDirect
21.04.2008: The National Toxicology Program warns for BPA from plastic lining in food cans.
Bisphenol A is used extensively in the plastic lining in food cans. The National Toxicology Program published in April 2008 a statement concluding that there was some concern for neural and behavioural effects in foetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to BPA. There are evidences that the compound induces cancer at current exposure levels.
As a precautionary measure NTP recommends to “ reduce the use of canned foods, and, when possible opt for glass, porcelaine or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot foods or liquids." [1]
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) had reported in 2007 that BPA could leach into canned food at levels reaching 200 times the acceptable amount. [2]
These findings are backed by the study of the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction CERHR Expert Panel on Bisphenol A [3]
FDA is now being requested to set the maximum level for regulatory use.
In Europe the EFSA hat set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) level for BPA of 50 micrograms/kg body weight/day
[1] National Toxicology Program: Draft NTP Brief on Bisphenol A CAS NO. 80-05-7 April 14, 2008 Peer Review Date: June 11, 2008
http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPADraftBriefVF_04_14_08.pdf
[2] Environmental Working Group (EWG): A Survey of Bisphenol A in U.S. Canned Foods. 05.03.2007
http://www.ewg.org/reports/bisphenola
[3] National Toxicology - Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction: NTP-CERHR Expert Panel Report on the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Bisphenol A. November 26, 2007. November 2007. NTP-CERHR-BPA-07
http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPAFinalEPVF112607.pdf
21.04.2008: Rice bran extract turn cookies “natural“ [1]
Methanolic extracts of rice bran were found to be the richest in phenolics than other extraction media. Bhager and colleagues 2008 report that this extract could be used instead of synthetic anioxidants to stabilise cookies. Peroxide value, iodine value and free fatty acids were chosen as the parameters for quality evaluation of the cookies used in the study.
According to the authors the consumers look for healthy, natural and organic ingredients, as well as smaller portion sizes.
[1] Bhanger, Muhammad Igbal; Iqbal,Shahid; Anwar, Faroog; Imran, Muhammad; Akhtar, Mubeena; Zia-ul-Haq, Muhammad: Antioxidant potential of rice bran extracts and its effects on stabilisation of cookies under ambient storage. International Journal of Food Science & Technology (Blackwell Publishing) May 2008, Volume 43, Issue 5 Pages 779-786
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.2007.01515.x
21.04.2008: Milk powder online says good by to price stability [1]
Milk powder is a basic food in countries with poor cattle breeding, underdeveloped refrigeration and poor transportation system. Milk powder has a long self-life even under harsh condition and may be stored in homes with no refrigerator. Milk powder is therefore an essential food for poor countries. Aid organisations have also raised concerns about the depletion of government stockpiles of milk powder.
Fronterra, which controls more than one-third of international dairy product trade is based in New Zealand. The company will begin online trading in milk powder in July to take advantage of rapid price movements. The company hopes to add milk to other commodities such as oil, sugar and coal which are already selling online successfully.
Changing from contracts up to one year in advance, to daily settlement of price the company hopes to take full advantage of soaring prices. Price stability is thus further weakened.
Fronterra expands its production capacity of whole, skim and butter milk powders, cheddar cheese for the Japanese, Middle East and Philippines markets. The company will also produce whey cheese, casein, anhydrous milk fat and whey protein concentrate. According to Fronterra the dairy demand will grow at around 3 per cent a year on the back of sales in markets like China, Latin America and the Middle East. [2]
[1] The Sidney Morning Herald: New Zealand company to use Internet to sell milk powder. 17.04.2008
http://news.smh.com.au/new-zealand-company-to-use-internet-to-sell-milk-powder/20080417-26qo.html
[2] Ceoex: Fronterra invests €113m in new Milk Powder Plant. 22.02.2008
http://www.ceoexgroup.com/blog/?p=21
21.04.2008: Syngenta moves to China [1]
Swiss biotech Syngenta moves its biotechnology centre to Beijing, China to evaluate genetically-modified and native traits in soy, corn. wheat, sugar beet and sugar cane. It will focus on yield improvement, drought resistance, disease control, and the conversion of biomass for biofuels.
China known to disregard food safety, is an easy market for Syngenta.
[1] Syngenta: Syngenta to build major global biotech research center in Beijing, China
Basel, Switzerland, 17 April 2008
http://www.syngenta.com/NR/rdonlyres/56BB3E81-94BB-434A-8A46-799DA03506BD/4434/
20080417_ENSyngentasetsupmajorbiotechresearchcente.pdf
20.04.2008: High Fructose Corn Syrup HFC products may not be labelled as "natural" [1] [2] [3]
According to FoodNavigator the FDA suggested products containing High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) should not be labeled as "natural". HFCS is a cheap sweetener and preservative made from cornstarch. It is used in foods like yoghurt with fruits, soda,ketchup dressings. It is high in calorie and low nutritional value. FDA agent supervisor of the Product Evaluation and Labeling team at FDA's Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Geraldine June, does not consider HFCS natural as synthetic fixing agents in the enzyme preparation often used oppose the use of the labelling term "natural" According to June a product containing HFCS should not be labeled as natural.
[1] Foodnavigator: How natural is "natural"? 14.01.2008
http://www.foodnavigator.com/news/ng.asp?id=82517
[2] Foodnavigator: HFCs is not "natural" says FDA 02.04.2008
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=84404
[3] Foodnavigator: FDA comments on HFCS spark industry opposition. 03.04.2008.
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/news/ng.asp?id=84435
20.04.2008: Food prices and biofuel
Some experts and government leaders are blaming the price fluctuation on increased biofuel production, which requires a fair amount of agricultural land. High energy prices and inflation are also seen as culprits.
It is "unacceptable for the export of agro-fuels to pose a threat to the supply situation of the very people already living in poverty," Development Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul said prior to the IMF meeting.
"The targets for [fuel] blends must be put to the test." [1]
German Minister Seehofer´s position
Yet land used for farming agricultural commodities is being converted into producing biofuel.
German Agriculture Minister Horst Seehofer has called for a drastic rise in European agricultural production, in a reverse of the bloc's previous agricultural policy, to counter rising world food prices and shortages.
The minister blames the international food and feed industry for optimizing their revenues and disregarding supply of food for the population. The problem is that in USA there is only one main company offering seeds tailored to meet the interests of the corporation. The minister calls to reverse agriculture from an industrial organisation to a farming structure. He warns for a rise of prices of feed op up to 600 per cent backed by the interests of the corporations which want to sell their GM soy and corn seeds. The US bio-corporation which Seehover is alluding to is Monsanto.
Seehover says that biofuel is not responsible for the food shortage because from the worldwide 42 million square kilometres of land available for agriculture only 15 millions are being used, and from this part only one per cent is being used for biofuel crop plantation. The minister, however is worried about raintree forests being destroyed on account of the biofuel boom. He says the biofuel should only be allowed when it does not replaces raintree forests. [2]
The Minister overlooked the power of the corporations which are driving biofuel to concentrate on Indonesia, Brazil and the corn belt of USA targeting the heart of all problems. The do not consider to use the other 27 million square kilometres because it is not profitable to plant there.
The Patzek paper
According to professor Tad W. Patzek new calculations show that the entire surface of the Earth cannot create enough additional biomass to replace more than 10% of current fossil fuel use. [3]
Solar power and compressed natural gas offer more-efficient energy technologies than planting, fertilizing, harvesting and refining fields of corn into fuel. [4]
Professor Patzek recommends to decrease all automotive fuel use in Europe by up to 6 percent per year in 8 years, while switching to the increasingly rechargeable hybrid and all-electric cars, progressively driven by photovoltaic cells. [5]
Solar electricity and hydrogen is being suggested to replace fossil fuels for transportation in Europe. The Arabian deserts provide the sunshine and acreage which does not compete with agriculture. [6]
[1] DW-world.de: German Minister Calls for Reversal of EU Agricultural Policy
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3278190,00.html
[2] Seehofer wirft Nahrungsmittelkonzernen Erpressung vor
http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,druck-548504,00.html
[3] Wikipedia: Biofuel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofuel
[4] John Markman: Shuck the ethanol and let solar shine
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/SuperModels/ShuckTheEthanolAndLetSolarShine.aspx
[5] Professor Tad W. Patzek: How can we outlive our way of life? Paper prepared for the 20th Round Table on Sustainable Development of Biofuels: Is the Cure Worse than the Disease? OECD Headquarters, Chateau de la Muette, Paris, 11-12 September 2007
http://petroleum.berkeley.edu/papers/Biofuels/OECDSept102007TWPatzek.pdf
[6] Arabian Desert Energy project Consortium.
www.desertenergyproject.net
20.04.2008: New version of the Chorane Study reinforces warning of antioxidants supplements [1]
The Cochrane study by Bjelakovic and colleagues was heavily criticised by the supplement industry, pointing out some errors. The authors published therefore a corrected version in JAMA (2008, Vol. 299, pp. 765-766).
The new version reinforces the conclusions of the original version writing that
current evidence does not support the use of antioxidant supplements in the general population or in patients with certain diseases. Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and vitamin E may increase mortality. The authors call for more studies on beneficial and harmful effects on Vitamin C and selenium.
The authors stress further that antioxidant supplements need to be considered medicinal products and should undergo sufficient evaluation before marketing.
Antioxidant supplements for treatment of specific diseases, supplementation for specific needs of antioxidants, or the effects of antioxidants contained in fruits or vegetable were not assessed by the study. and more studies on this matter are needed.
[1] Bjelakovic, G.; Nikolova, D.; Gluud, L.L.; Simonetti, R.G.; Gluud, C.: Antioxidant supplements for prevention of mortality in healthy participants and patients with various diseases. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007176. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007176. Published online April 16. 2008
http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab007176.html
19.04.2008: Supplementation with n-3 fatty acids reduce cancer risk of esophagus [1]
Samir P. Mehtan and colleagues in a study published in 2008 found that supplementation with EPA significantly changed n–3 fatty acid concentrations and reduced COX-2 concentrations in human lower esophagus, reducing the risk of cancer. Population with a high consumption of fish and consequently, n-3 fatty acids had been found to have a reduced risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma .
The researchers believe that the suppression of eicosanoid production through inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) resulting from high intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is responsible for a reduction of risc of the disease.
[1] Mehta, Samir P.;Boddy, Alex P.; Cook, Jane; Sams, Virginia; Lund, Elizabeth K.; Johnson, Ian T.; Rhodes, Michael: Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on Barrett's epithelium in the human lower esophagus. Am J Clin Nutr April 2008 87: 949-956.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/4/949
19.04.2008 Producer reformulate vitamin pill following the Southampton Study [1]
Vitamin pill with artificial colours which can cause rashes and hyperactive behaviour in children are being reformulate to avoid carmoisine (E122), allura red (E129), tartrazine (E102) and ponceau 4R (E124).
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) asked the European Union to impose a ban on these additives next year.
[1] The Independent Best-selling Sanatogen vitamin pills are dyed with harmful additives. 15.04.2008.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/bestselling-sanatogen
-vitamin-pills-are-dyed-with-harmful-additives-808970.html
19.04.2008: Antimocrobial- resistant bacteria draft opinion of the European Food Safety Authority [1]
According to a draft opinion of the European Food Safety Authority’s BIOHAZ Panel the use of antimicrobial agents produced resistant bacteria such as Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus which can be found in foods such as poultry meat, eggs, pork or beef and foods of plant origin like salads.
The panel cites some transmission ways to human:
* Direct transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from food originated from animals carrying resistant bacteria.
* Transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria on fresh produce from land recently irrigated with water contaminated by farm slurry or municipal sewage.
* Transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria caused by contamination of food during the handling and preparation process.
The Panel also said that bacteria deliberately introduced into the food and feed chain for manufacturing and preservation processes, such as fermentation cultures, and also probiotics, have on occasion exhibited antimicrobial resistance and should also be considered as a possible route for the transfer of antimicrobial resistance through food.
[1] EFSA: The role of food in human exposure to antimicrobial resistant bacteria
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178700897302.htm
18.04.2008: Eggs and coronary vascular diseases.
The Djoussé and Gaziano study [1]
In general, a reduction in dietary cholesterol is recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Djoussé and Gaziano 2008 studied the effect of egg consumption regarding to the risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality on account of its content of cholesterol of its egg-yolk.
In this 20 years study the authors found eating more than 1 egg a day was related to all-cause mortality stronger association was noted among diabetic subjects. However infrequent egg consumption does not seem to influence the risk of CVD or stroke.
Comment on the study [2]
According to Robert H Eckel concerns about egg consumption and atherosclerotic risk have to do with the cholesterol content of eggs. Eckel stresses that cholesterol absorption has been shown to be higher in patients with type 1 diabetes but not in patients with type 2 diabetes, and suggests that most of the subjects with diabetes in the study had type 2, not type 1, diabetes, explaining the higher mortality of diabetes subjects.
Eckel also points out that the all-causes were not specifically analysed and coronary cases were omitted. Also other factors healthy factors such as age, smoking, physically activity, breakfast cereal eating habits, were not included in the study.
Eckel advices to discard the egg yolk and use only the egg white. Eating whole eggs should be less than 3-4 d/week, and patients with diabetes should be prudent with eggs.
[1] Djoussé, Luc; Gaziano, J. Michael: Egg consumption in relation to cardiovascular disease and mortality: the Physicians' Health Study. AJCN 2008 87: 964-969, April 2008
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/87/4/964
[2] Eckel, Robert H.: Egg consumption in relation to cardiovascular disease and mortality: the story gets more complex. AJCN 2008 87: 799-800.
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/87/4/799
17.04.2008: Tomato pulp powder from tomato processing may be used as thickening agent [1]
Farahnaky and colleagues from the University Shiraz, Iran, studied the possibility of using the tomato pulp waste resulting from tomato processing industry as a thickening agent for ketchup producers. The authors say that low level of tomato pulp powder may be used to replace hydrocolloids such as guar gum, xanthan gum and locust bean gum. The tomato pulp powder has a low price and avoids discarding environment issues.
[1] Farahnaky, A.; Abbasi, A.; Jamalian, J.; Mesbahi, G.:The use of tomato pulp powder as a thickening agent in the formulation of tomato ketchup. Journal of Texture Studies 39 (2008) 169-182
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4603.2008.00136.x
13.04.2008: Aeroplanes labels alerts consumer to air pollution
UK supermarket Tesco labels vegetables and fruits transported by air cargo to alert consumers to air pollution. The supermarket chain says that their customers want to have informations on the origin of the produces. Many consumer want to reduce “food miles” and prefer locally produced wares to those flown in from abroad.
Air cargo has high level of carbon dioxide emissions per volume weight of product compared with the transportation by ship or truck. Aeroplanes release their emission at 10.000 metres, where it harm the most
Tesco is being backed by the UK's Department of Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which urges the food industry to reduce the environmental impact of their produces.
Food and Retail Challenge Fund [1]
UK government, on the other side funds the trade with produces supplied by developing nations with 2.52m EUR. We should not ignore, however, that these products do not come from the poorest farmers. They come from the fields of high developed mechanised farms. The starving population, which is supposed to be helped by the activities of the government, does not have access to airfreight cargo service, and even worse, these poor people were displaced by those who have connection to international trade.
According to the Kenyan High Commission in London their farmers use geothermal, hydro-electric, thermal and solar power to heat its greenhouses as opposed to use of fossil fuels. The Commission says that horticulture earned Kenya more than 680 million EUR. This is more than tourism and tea has brought. The flower sub-sector generated 436 million EUR in 2007 compared to 233 million in 2006 - a 47 per cent increase. [2]
Organic food by airfreight [3]
The UK's Soil Association certifies airfreighted produces and grants organic labels for these wares under the allegation on ethical sourcing. The certification body disregards the principles of the holistic idea of the original organic farming. Air pollution mutates the organic idea to a standard supermarket product, and as such it may be sold. Soil Association has been lobbied by by international trade corporations. The label of the Soil Association should therefore be looked upon with growing scepticism.
| Contrails of heavy airtraffic on European sky. |  |
| Contrails spread out and form clouds,loaded with pollutants |  |
[1] Department for International Development (DIFD): Development Awareness Fund.
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/funding/daf.asp
[2] Property Kenya, Kenya's Premier Real Estate Guide: Kenya Anti-Food Miles Campaign Hits Cash Snag. April 3, 2008
http://www.propertykenya.com/news/528569-kenya-anti-food-miles-campaign-hits-cash-snag
[3]Soil Association: Air freight consultation- recommendations for standards
http://www.soilassociation.org/airfreight