Food Safety – Chemical (9% total of coverage)

More than double the previous quarter’s total of 4% was tracked for Q4. Strong focus on trace substances found in food products, especially in North Asia, including Hong Kong, S Korea. A substantial proportion of commentary on this related to its impact on international trade and the role of regulatory authorities in managing food safety risk. For more information about trace contamination and putting safety risk into perspective, click on “What’s That Doing in My Food?” in English, 中文 or ภาษาไทย.

Healthy Eating / Lifestyles (5% total of coverage)

Tracked coverage in this category dropped to 5% from the previous quarter’s total of 13%, with shift of focus from prevention of chronic degenerative disease in general to more specific disease states such as diabetes and heart disease which are tracked under own headings. Common themes included changing lifestyles with urbanization, mechanization and more sedentary lifestyles identified as contributing factors as well as dietary change. Rising global interest in nutrition labeling which is stimulating some regional media coverage also tracked. For more information on “Nutrition Information – What To Make of It?”, click on one of the following links in English, 中文 or ภาษาไทย.

Overweight / Obesity / Weight Control (6% total of coverage)

Tracked coverage in this category fell from the previous quarter’s 11% total.  Rising rates of overweight and obesity and associated health complications were common topics. Low awareness of the health risks associated with overweight was also spotlighted, partly in response to release of research results on consumer attitudes. Improved recognition amongst Asia’s media of the multi-causal nature of overweight is also becoming evident. For more information on weight management, see “A Question of Balance”, by clicking on the links in English, 中文 or ภาษาไทย.

Zoonotic Disease & Animal Health (52% total of coverage)

52% of all coverage tracked by AFIC during this was on the topic of zoonotics that is disease carried by animals that can be passed to humans. Resurgence of H5N1 avian flu infections in the region of poultry and a small number of associated human infections generated much of the news reports. European cases have also attracted much interest both internationally and in the Asia region. Very few of the reports tracked actually addressed the question of food safety. However, the sheer volume of news reports on infection and containment measures of poultry, in the absence of factual information on the safety of consuming poultry and egg products (providing basic hygiene measures are observed) has inevitably impacted consumer confidence in poultry and egg food products. BSE also continues to sustain some media interest particularly in S Korea, where trade negotiations on conditions for the import of US beef continue. For more information on food safety and H5N1 avian flu please refer to AFIC’s information resource “Short Briefing on Avian Influenza and Food Safety” in English, 中文 or ภาษาไทย.

The Asian Food information Centre is a not-for profit Singapore-registered organization Its mission is to effectively communicate sound science based information on food safety, health and nutrition to the media and other key audiences in Asia.