Food Magazine issue 82

July/August 2008

Fewer than one in 100 eat healthily - there have been significant gains in improving the nation's diet, but a new analysis of data shows that just eight people per thousand are actually eating a healthy diet.

EC to boost kids' fruit - a scheme should provide 90 million Euro (about £75m) to help schools purchase and distribute fresh fruit and vegetables.

Warning labels for coloured foods - the European Parliament has voted in favour of labelling foods containing any of the six food colours E110, E104, E122, E129, E102 and E124 with the words, "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."

Investing in local food - the Manchester grocery which is buying its own land to grow its own produce.

Campaigners say Nestlé hired spy - An anti-globalisation campaign group has lodged a complaint with Swiss authorities and asked them to investigate the Swiss food and drinks giant Nestlé for allegedly hiring a spy to infiltrate the group.

Salt levels fall, but industry needs to do more - salt consumption in the UK has fallen from 9.5 grams (g) to 8.6g since the year 2000, but, the reduction still falls short of the government's target of a 6g daily maximum for adults.

Flora using schools as a marketing tool - schools are actively encouraging parents to buy the slippery spread in return for 'free' kitchen equipment.

UK's poorest need higher incomes for a decent life - According to a new report a single person in Britain today needs to earn at least £13,400 a year to afford a basic, but decent standard of living, including rent on a modest council home.

Superbugs and food - What part does food play in the spread of antibiotic resistant infections? Richard Young, policy adviser to the Soil Association, takes a look at the issues.

Which fast food meals are healthiest? Anyone's guess! - When The Food Magazine asked nutrition specialists and members of the public which fast foods were most laden with fats or calories. The results were surprisingly poor.

Let the buyer beware - Bee Wilson investigates the rich history of food fraud and swindles.

Food security: leave it to the market? - Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University, urges readers to take the current food crisis seriously.

Plastic food waste chokes our seas - Anna Glayzer investigates how discarded plastic food packaging can harm the health of people and animals. .

Pesticides on a plate - Nick Mole of the Pesticide Action Network UK investigates pesticide residues in our food.

FSA may weaken the ban on kids' TV ads - The Food Magazine investigates a proposed change to the rules that could make some sweet and fatty food easier to get under the bar on junk food advertising.

Expanding the baby milk market - Helen Crawley, public health nutritionist, investigates new formula milks that claim to help send your baby to sleep.

Healthier school meals, but why aren't they free for all? - Children from families living on benefits receive lunches free, but those living on low incomes still have to pay the full cost.

Legal, decent, honest and true? Misleading food and drink advertisements are supposed to be regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). Here we report on recent adjudications.

Price rises mean poorer diets - Rising prices for basic commodities will not mean we eat less, but rather that our diets will deteriorate even further, argues Tim Lobstein.