An independent food watchdog has said that many processed food products are now saltier than ever despite claims by the food industry that salt levels have been reduced.
A survey conducted by the Food Commission and published in Food Magazine compared 1978 salt levels in white bread, crisps, baked beans and canned tomato soup with salt levels in equivalent products in January 2003.
Examination of crisps purchased in 2003 showed that the salt content had almost doubled since 1978, from an average of 540mg per 100g to 1050mg per 100g. Average salt levels had also risen in canned baked beans, from 480mg per 100g to 490mg per 100g. The Food Commission said that average salt levels for canned tomato soup and white bread showed very little improvement, despite industry and government claims that salt has been reduced in these processed foods.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is launching the second edition of its Good Fish Guide.
The guide contains the latest scientific information on the state of our fish stocks as well as information about how fish are caught and the environmental and social impacts of fishing. For the conscientious consumer concerned about the impact of eating fish on the marine environment and its wildlife the MCS Good Fish Guide provides specific advice on which fish to avoid and which to eat.
MCS is using the guide to work with major retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Tesco to raise awareness amongst retailers and consumers and so improve the sustainability of our fisheries.
Union leaders and human rights activists in the United States lined up this weekend to warn their British colleagues against letting Wal-Mart gain a greater foothold in this country.
The world's biggest discount retailer - five times larger in market value than Tesco - has faced persistent claims that it is anti-union, and revelations of 'sweatshop' conditions in some of the Third World factories supplying its products.
The company insists it will accept its prospective British employees' union arrangements, pointing out it has earned plaudits in the UK for good employee relations since acquiring Asda.
Bristol, 21 Jan 2003: Farmers, environmentalists and health experts are joining forces to boost a rural economy in the West.
Taste Of North Somerset (ToNS) was launched yesterday with the aim of encouraging shoppers to buy fresh local produce. The project hopes to promote healthy eating and raise awareness about the impact on the environment of long-distance food transportation.
At last week's Foodwise 2003 exhibition, food and farming minister Lord Whitty announced that the annual budget for the Rural Enterprise Scheme would be increased to £36m over the next two years. The scheme aims to encourage greater sustainability and diversification by local food producers.
