AFGC accused of undermining star rating system
06 December, 2013The AFGC has been accused of undermining the star rating front-of-pack labelling system that was agreed to by the former Labor government. The AFGC has defended the allegations, saying it remains committed to the scheme.
Energy drinks affect heart function
03 December, 2013Research has shown that caffeinated beverages increase the heart’s contraction rates, leading researchers to suggest that children and people with cardiac arrhythmia should avoid these drinks.
Controversial GM maize study retracted
02 December, 2013The Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology has retracted a controversial article which claimed to have found evidence that genetically modified (GM) maize is toxic when consumed by rats.
Consumers want more bad news on food packaging
27 November, 2013A Cornell University study found that consumers are willing to pay a premium for products labelled 'free from' something, but only if the packaging includes negative information on whatever the product is free from.
Chocolate consumption lowers body fat (no, really)
18 November, 2013Finally, the news we've all been hoping for: researchers have discovered that the more chocolate you eat, the lower your body fat. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that eating a family-sized block each day will help you lose weight, but nevertheless it's good news for chocolate lovers: your addiction may be helping, rather than harming, your health.
Vegetable oils not as healthy as we think
18 November, 2013Not all vegetable oils are as healthy as they seem, new research suggests. An analysis in the Canadian Medical Association Journal has found that some vegetable oils may actually increase the risk of heart disease.
Weight up, intake down - surprising results in UK consumers
11 November, 2013The average Briton's weight is up while their energy intake is down and real food spending is down as cheaper energy foods go into the grocery basket. Some fascinating insight into how Britons are changing their diets over a generation.
Health benefits of blueberries affected by processing
05 November, 2013Blueberries’ high polyphenol content has earned them ‘superfood’ status. While they are healthy enough when raw, recent research shows that cooking or baking the fruit changes their health benefits.
Motivating consumers to buy organic
22 October, 2013A paper produced by Washington State University will help advertisers to more effectively target the fast-growing organic food market, the authors say.
'Traffic light' labelling works - on some consumers
21 October, 2013A 'traffic light' food labelling system appears to be working at a US hospital, with customers who noticed the labelling - and are influenced by nutrition information - opting for healthier options more often.
Oreos as addictive as cocaine
18 October, 2013While we might jokingly admit to a chocolate biscuit addiction, researchers have found that Oreos are genuinely as addictive as cocaine - in lab rats, at least. And, what's more, the rats eat them in the same way as humans: they go for the centre first.
Boosting dietary fibre content with 'hidden' fibre
16 October, 2013A research team at the University of Missouri has found a way to address the fibre deficit in many Americans' diets without compromising quality and taste: adding citrus fibre to minced beef.
Coles hits sodium reduction targets
15 October, 2013Coles is celebrating reaching its sodium reduction targets for its own-brand bread and breakfast cereals, which it says have removed more than 15 tonnes of salt from the Australian diet each year - the equivalent of 2.5 million teaspoons per annum.
Lose weight regardless of food intake
14 October, 2013It is possible that serotonin, combined with a little bit of adrenaline, could be the key to weight loss in humans.
Manipulating portion sizes may not solve obesity epidemic
10 October, 2013The UK Public Health Responsibility Deal has called for reduced portion sizes as a way of reducing the nation's caloric intakes, but a review has found that consumers choose food based on a number of different factors - with nutrition coming some way down the list of priorities.
