News: Roundup of food news for May
Here’s a taste of what happened in food news during May:
- Melbourne cafe owners are extremely unhappy with new Melbourne City Council regulations which state that rubbish and recycling bins must be stored indoors overnight. Many say they’ll be forced to choose between food safety and flouting the new rules.
- Coolangatta/Tweed food businesses should be on the alert for an expected rat influx. Experts say the heavy rain throughout May has meant there’s a good food supply for the rodents and good breeding conditions. Rats can transmit diseases such as salmonella and typhus, so food shops in the region – please keep an eye out!
- The CSIRO published ‘Make It Safe‘, a food safety guide aimed at small businesses, but also useful for students of food technology and hospitality. It focusses on risks and hazards associated with food manufacturing, and how to control those risks.
- The WA Government allocated $9 million in its Budget for new GM crop research facilities in that state, including two climate simulators. The Agriculture Minister says many WA farmers are pleased with the state’s funding and research commitments to GM crops.
- Meanwhile, the True Food Network presented a submission calling for GE food to be labelled to the Federal Government’s Food Labelling Review. The attached petition attracted 30,000 signatures and was co-signed by more than 200 chefs who are part of the GE Free Chefs Charter. You can still sign the petition, or learn more about the Food Labelling Review.
- ‘Food Inc.’, a documentary about food production started appearing on Australian cinema screens in May and will give you a lot to think about if you wonder or worry about where your food comes from. The Australian’s review summed it up: “The only advice this reviewer can give is that you see these films. If you have children, take them with you, and talk to them afterwards, in sorrow and in anger.”
- And forgive us, but we have to mention the iPad! Our team has been working hard on a number of iPad apps and is really excited about its possibilities. In fact, Mogeneration released the first Australian iPad app, Carter’s Encyclopaedia of Health and Medicine. The app debuted in the Top 10 and covers definitions and explanations of every medical term and health problem likely to be encountered by an individual – 12,000 entries!
June 1, 2010
Tags: admin, food hygiene & safety, food production, food sources, GE/GM, ipad, News, policy, roundup, truefood guide Posted in: General, News
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