January 19, 2004 Recent News
Creating hispanic menus the American way
EU food agency prepares to assess live GMO crops
Genetically engineered crops up 15 percent worldwide
Advisory group gives go-ahead to growing of GM maize
US seeks revisions to WHO’s obesity initiative
Creating hispanic menus the American way
Given the fast-growing Hispanic population in the US, the dramatic increase in menu items based on Hispanic culture is not a surprise. Although items may not be totally authentic, they are close enough to be acceptable to both Hispanic and American tastes. Also, increased travel south of the border has exposed more Americans to Hispanic flavors. Wraps/Mexican/Southwest/Tex-Mex items are appearing everywhere, especially in chains, evidence that Hispanic influences are proving popular across ethnic palettes of all types.
(Extracted from New Products Magazine, 11/1/2003)
EU food agency prepares to assess live GMO crops
Europe's new food safety agency will soon start its first risk analysis of live gene-spliced crops as the European Union debates lifting a five-year ban. With EU countries split down the middle on whether to lift their ban on new genetically modified (GM) foods and crops, the views of the European Food Safety Authority are seen as key to the debate since it is independent and non-political.
(Extracted from Reuters Health E-Line, 1/9/04)
Genetically engineered crops up 15 percent worldwide
Genetically engineered crop plantings increased 15 percent last year despite continued consumer resistance in Europe and elsewhere. According to a report released today by the industry-backed International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, seven million farmers in 18 countries grew engineered crops on 167.2 million acres last year, compared to 145 million acres in 2002. In 1996, the first year genetically modified crops were commercially available, about 4.3 million acres were under biotechnology cultivation.
(Extracted from Associated Press Newswires, 1/13/04)
Advisory group gives go-ahead to growing of GM maize
The first genetically modified (GM) crops could be planted in Britain this spring after an expert committee approved the growing of transgenic maize. The advisory committee yesterday gave a limited go-ahead for farmers to plant GM maize but rejected the cultivation of GM oilseed rape and sugar beet until more research is done to reduce their impact on the environment.
(Extracted from Financial Times, London, 1/14/04)
US seeks revisions to WHO’s obesity initiative
The Bush administration says the World Health Organization's (WHO) initiative to battle obesity is based on faulty scientific evidence and goes beyond its mandate. The US government plans to seek significant revisions when the proposal is brought up for discussion by the WHO's governing board later in January. One criticism by the US is the lack of the notion of personal responsibility. A US government official denied industry concerns were behind the position and the Grocery Manufacturers of America and the Sugar Association said that while they opposed parts of the plan, they did not influence the US position. While any report would not force countries to act, it would be a powerful weapon for governments and health advocates wanting to act against obesity. The head of the Institute for Nutrition Research at the University of Oslo, who chaired the panel advising WHO, said questioning the validity of the report was "ridiculous."
(Extracted from Washington Post and Guardian, 1/16/04)
