Back door food imports

Bad news for Australians imported toxic frost products from New Zealand

Souerce: Yahoo 7 news

                                  Avocadoes.photo: Getty

Fears for avocado industry

Growers say supermarkets have taken away the consumers' rights to buy Aussie products by only stocking imports.

New Zealand has become the back door for Asian produce to get here, and the process is raising further concerns for the health of Australian shoppers and farmers.

We hate losing to them on the sporting field, but when it comes to business there's no competition, and we're copping a hammering.

Now, thanks to a loosening of quarantine laws, the Kiwis are enjoying a free kick.
More stories from Today Tonight

• Meat import fears
• Country of origin aisles
• Anything but Australian made

Apple growers can expect a $130 million hit this year, thanks to food imports from China and New Zealand.

Now avocados growers are facing oblivion thanks to cheaper Kiwi imports, and our major grocery chains turning their backs on Australian farmers.

New South Wales avocado grower Christina Culross’ livelihood is on the line thanks to the obsession of grocery chains to keep dropping prices.

                               Australia’s best grocers

She's calling on the public to reject the imported Kiwi avocados and send a message to Government and supermarkets.

According to Culross, in two weeks’ time, every supermarket in the eastern states would have switched to New Zealand fruit. “We're still picking for the next few weeks, and there are plenty of other growers in New South Wales who will be picking until Christmas,” she said.

“So to put it in perspective ... this year is a bumper crop for us. We hope to produce 90,000 trays of avocados and New Zealand are exporting three million trays to Australia between September and January, so we are up against a tsunami of avocados.”

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Ausbuy’s Lynne Wilkinson says Australian consumers are being duped, and calls on all the supermarket chains to be upfront and declare the real reasons they're stocking New Zealand avocados instead of home-grown varieties.

“These imports are coming in when our dollar is high, so they're cheap, they're probably subsidised by their own Governments, and the consumer is not necessarily going to get the benefit. The retailer is probably going to take the profit difference between buying an Australian good and a cheap import,” Wilkinson said.

“There seems to be a lot of food coming in from New Zealand (but) New Zealand doesn't actually grow as much as is coming out of it. Our manufacturers (like Heinz and McCains) have closed here, to open factories there. So they're no longer sourcing from our farmers, they're sourcing from New Zealand, or the product is coming in from China and being processed to New Zealand.”

Two thirds of the frozen vegetables in fridges are now sourced from foreign investors.

Coles claims to be stocking avocados in their Western Australia and South Australia stores but due to supply shortages they have to import New Zealand avocados. Woolworths claim to stock avocados in their South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland stores.
Not good enough, says Ausbuy.
Response statements

• Woolworths:

100 per cent of fresh meat and 97 per cent of fresh fruit and vegetables sold in Woolworths is Australian grown. We only import produce when we cannot get the supply domestically, usually when produce is out of season in Australia. An example of this is that lemons are in demand all year round but we are not able to get supply from Australia all year so in the 'off season' we source lemons from overseas.

When it comes to private label grocery products our preference is to use Australian suppliers and to only import private label products where a domestic supplier does not tender, we cannot get the quality or supply at home or secure products at a price that our customers would be willing to pay.

Traditionally, the domestic avocado season runs from May to October during which time 100 per cent of fruit stocked at Woolworths comes from Australia. As Australian supplies reduce we usually begin switching to NZ avocadoes, however, this year our growers underestimated supply and had a surplus of fruit on the market.

We have sent the remaining stock of domestically grown avocadoes (including some of the surplus fruit) to Woolies stores in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the NT. As such, we are the only major retailer to be currently supplying Australian avocadoes to Queenslanders.

• Coles:

Coles has an Australian-first sourcing policy, and about 96 per cent of all the fresh produce we sell is Australian.

Contrary to the implication in your second question (How many of your private label products were once sourced from Australian farmers, and now are imported from overseas?), we are not increasing imports, of either fresh produce or packaged private label product – quite the opposite. In fresh produce, we have an import replacement program, where we work with Australian growers to extend local growing seasons, reducing the need to import fresh produce. I’ve attached some case studies for further information.

In the case of packaged private label products, the attached press release outlines the fact that Coles brand has more products with the Australian Made logo than any other brand. We are also the only Australian supermarket to offer a private label Australian Grown frozen vegie range.

Our avocado sourcing this year is no different to previous years. We are currently sourcing Australian avocados for all our WA and SA stores (sourced from within those two states respectively). From March to September, we source avocados for all Coles stores from Bundaberg in Queensland. Between September and February, we are not able to source sufficient commercial quantities of Australian avocados, and so fruit is sourced from New Zealand during this period. We’ve had conversations with Avocados Australia to look at opportunities to source even more Australian avocados in the future.

Fruits with Healing Benefits

This information about fruits with healing benefits is for everyone to prevent your health

Source: Yahoo 7 News

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Many fruits deliver more than just good taste; they can help prevent and cure conditions and boost your overall health and wellbeing. Here's a list of some superfruits that pack quite a nutritional punch and whole lot of health benefits!

Want to know more about the healing power of foods? Buy The Doctors Book of Food Remedies today!

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PineappleIn lab and human studies, bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapple, eased the swelling and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, soft-tissue injuries, inflammatory conditions in the colon and even chronic pain.Pineapple is also a rich source of vitamin C, and it contains substances that keep bones strong and promote digestion. One cup of pineapple chunks, for example, contains about 24 mg of vitamin C. Juice is even better: a glass of pineapple juice contains 60 mg of C.

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ApplesPut away the peeler, and eat your apples with the peel intact. “The peel contains three- quarters of the fibre and most of the antioxidants in the apple,” says Wendy Davis, RD, director of communications and consumer health for the US Apple Association. Cornell University food scientists who tested four varieties of apples found that the peels better inhibited the growth of cancer cells than the rest of the apple. As a result, apple peels “may impart health benefits when consumed and should be regarded as a valuable source of antioxidants,” the researchers wrote

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GuavasOne cup of guava has nearly five times as much skin-healing vitamin C (a key ingredient in collagen production) as a medium orange (377 mg versus 83 mg)—more than five times your recommended daily intake. Women who eat a lot of vitamin-C-packed foods have fewer wrinkles than women who don’t eat many, according to a recent study that tracked the diets of more than 4,000 women aged 40 to 74. You’ll also get bacteria-busting power. Guava can protect against foodborne pathogens such as listeria and staph, according to research by microbiologists in Bangladesh. And a study by Thai scientists and the US Department of Agriculture found that guava has as much antioxidant activity as some well-known superfoods, such as blueberries and broccoli.

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LycheesA French study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that, of all fruits tested, lychees had the second-highest level of heart-healthy polyphenols—nearly 15 per cent more than the amount in grapes (considered a ‘king of polyphenols’). “Polyphenols protect your cells by neutralising free radicals in the body. They also keep your arteries flexible and elastic,” says Catherine Saxelby, nutritionist and author of Nutrition For Life ($29.95; Hardie Grant). Lychees are also thought to help protect against breast cancer: A recent test-tube and animal study from Sichuan University in China found that lychees may help prevent the formation of breast-cancer cells, thanks to the fruit’s antioxidant activity.

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ApricotsMost of apricots’ health benefits are due to the same substances that make them look so luscious, their carotenoids. These are the powerful pigments in plants that paint many of our favourite fruits and vegetables red, orange and yellow. Researchers have identified more than 600 carotenoids, and apricots contain some of the most potent—including betacarotene.Women whose diets contain high levels of betacarotene had significantly less risk of coronary-artery disease, according to a study that followed 73,000 women for 12 years, and a significantly lower risk of heart attack, according to another study.

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AvocadosOleic acid, a monounsaturated fat in avocados, can help lower cholesterol. In one study, researchers compared the effects of two low-fat diets, which were identical except that one diet included avocados. Although both diets lowered levels of dangerous LDL (bad) cholesterol, the avocado-inclusive diet raised levels of healthy HDL cholesterol.The fibre in avocados also helps in our cholesterol-lowering quest. Fibre adds bulk to stool, causing it, and the cholesterol it contains, to be excreted from the body more quickly. One avocado packs more fibre—about 10g— than a bran muffin.

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 BlueberriesPacked with antioxidants, vitamin C, manganese and fibre, blueberries boost brain health, improving learning and keeping memory sharp. Look for berries that still have their silver-white surface bloom. This coating signals freshness and helps them retain their juices. Jiggle the punnet: the fruit should move around easily, a sign that no soft or mouldy berries are stuck together. Eat half a cup and you could double your daily intake of anti-ageing antioxidants.

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Nashi PearsOne large nashi pear offers a whopping 10 g of cholesterol-lowering fibre, about 40 per cent of your daily requirement. In a recent US study, people who ate the most fibre had the lowest total and LDL cholesterol levels. The researchers also found that those who ate the most fibre also weighed the least and had the lowest body-mass indexes and waist circumferences.

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 WatermelonSeedy in a good way, watermelons are water-dense (hence their name) and a great source of carbs, too, which help you refuel. An added bonus: this fruit fights nausea.

Want to know more about the healing power of foods? Buy The Doctors Book of Food Remedies today!



Food myths busted

This article is very important for every one to prevent the obesity
Source: Yahoo 7 News

One of the biggest obesity studies ever has discovered the foods that are most likely to lead to weight gain and loss.

The worst food for weight gain revealed

The best foods for better sex

Photo by istock

It's no secret that the unhealthy Western diet is contributing to an epidemic of obesity. But there's another hidden epidemic that our fatty diets are at the root of: a national sex crisis. Beyond slimming you down, changing what you eat can boost your performance in bed - these great foods ideas will help combat the crisis.
PICK UP THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE ON SALE NOW FOR OUR LOVE BITES ARTICLE: foods to get your engine revving!

Photo by sxc.hu

Snacks for you
Cranberry juice
20 per cent of women suffer from chronic urinary tract infections, increasing their risk of kidney infections. Ward off the painful infection and keep your sex life alive by drinking half a cup of unsweetened cranberry juice, a natural antibacterial, every day. Research shows that tannins in cranberry juice decrease a woman's risk of an infection by 34 per cent.

 

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YoghurtTry yoghurt with "live active cultures." The yoghurt contains probiotic bacteria called Lactobacillus, which helps prevent the spread of E. coli in the urethra. Finnish researchers found that women who ate this type of yoghurt three times a week were almost 80 per cent less likely to have recently developed a UTI than those who ate it less than once a week

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Midmorning snacks: for you and himThese might be foods for kids’ lunches, but it has some very grown-up implications. Here's why:

Celery (mostly for men)
Every stalk of the stuff is packed with androstenone and androstenol, two pheromones that can help men attract women. Every time you chew on a stalk of celery, you release odour molecules, which help boost your arousal, turning you on and causing your body to send off scents and signals that make you more desirable to women.

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Peanut butter Research shows that men with diets high in monounsaturated fat—the kind found in nuts—have higher testosterone levels than those who don't eat enough of the healthy fat. Plus, nuts are also the best food source of arginine, an amino acid that improves bloodflow throughout your body—including below the belt.



Photo by Women's Health

Fuel your libido
PorridgeUnsexy oatmeal has a hidden talent – whole grains increase testosterone, which boosts sex drive. Serve porridge with honey: it contains boron, a mineral that has libido-enhancing effects. This, in combination with B vitamins (needed to make testosterone), and fructose (which aids stamina) can explain that "honeymoon" thing – ancient Persian newlyweds drank mead, an alcoholic drink made with honey, every day for a month after they married.

Photo by Women's Health

Sashimi Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids (like salmon and tuna) keep sex-hormone production humming along. Tuna is also good source of selenium (a mineral that increases his sperm count). Serve it with pickled ginger and edamame. “Ginger aids circulation, and edamame contains phytoestrogens, which help lubricate the vagina,” Paget says.



Photo by Women's Health

Coffee People who enjoy a brew have higher libidos and hit the sheets more often, according to a study by Southwestern University, US. Skip sweetner for real sugar. “Sugar releases serotonin, a neurotransmitter that provides a brief euphoric feeling,” says psychologist Dr Abby Aronowitz.



Photo by Women's Health

Foods for him
Chicken Chicken contains a powerful combo of vitamin B6 and zinc – both essential for the production of testosterone, vital for the health of his libido, sperm and erectile function. Chicken is also a rich source of arginine, which “triggers the body to make protein and may enhance sperm production”, says nutrition expert Sharon Natoli.



Photo by Women's Health

WatermelonBoost his boner with this sweet fruit. US researchers have found that watermelon’s citrulline and arginine boost production of a compound called nitric oxide that relaxes blood vessels – the same thing that little blue pill does, but for a way better price.



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Get him in the mood
CinnamonThe scent of baked cinnamon buns turns a man on. This was the conclusion of neurologists following a unique experiment in which they monitored penile blood flow in 25 medical students while the students sniffed different smells. The researchers exposed the students to a wide range of fragrances, from lily-of-the-valley to rose to musk, but found that cinnamon buns turned men on most. The scents of pumpkin pie and black liquorice also ranked high. Researchers speculate the smells may evoke a nostalgic memory that relaxes a man, making him more aware of sexual cues.



Photo by sxc.hu

Original aphrodisiacs...
FigsConsidering their resemblance to female genitalia, it’s no surprise the fig has long been lauded as a sexual symbol. Adam and Eve used its leaves to cover their privates, the ancient Greeks celebrated the arrival of the fig crop with sex rituals, and Cleopatra declared them her top snack.



Photo by sxc.hu

WalnutsThe Romans allegedly tossed walnuts at newlyweds as a symbol of fertility. Nuts contain fats that your system creates cholesterol with – and your sex hormones need cholesterol to work properly, says



Photo by Women's Health

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Bottled water industry

Resourse: Yahoo7 News

Australians spent more than half a billion dollars on bottled water last year, but was it worth it?

We all know that drinking water is good for you, and plenty of us are happy to pay for it.

Bottled water is promoted as being fresh and free of impurities, but just how true are those claims?
A growing campaign is trying to stop the flow of the bottled water industry.

More stories from Today Tonight

• Lifting the lid on bottled water
• Oils aint oils
• Imports overtake Australian food

The mouth-watering $60 billion bottled water industry turns over more than half a billion dollars in Australia alone.

In fact we drink 700 million litres of bottled water each year.

Jon Dee from Do Something is an active campaigner against bottled water. “It would cost them less than a cent to get the water out of the ground, and yet you're paying $2.50 to $3 a litre, or more for bottled water. That's twice the price of petrol."

According to Geoff Parker from the Australasian Bottled Water Institute, when it comes to bottled water, it’s all about convenience. “Our research shows the number one reason why people buy bottled water is for convenience."

Convenient? Sure. But is bottled water any healthier than what we can get out of the tap?
Today Tonight commissioned two independent labs to analyse seven unidentified samples. Six were high-selling bottled waters, and the other everyday tap water.

The lab tested for:

• mineral content
• sodium
• potassium
• magnesium
• chloride
• sulphate
• phosphate
• flouride

The second lab looked at contaminants and bacteria.
The results were surprising.

Tap water had lower sodium levels than some of big name brands, and slightly high levels of calcium. Otherwise there was hardly any difference, and no major signs of contamination.

On a country paddock, outside Wagga Wagga, at Big Springs water well, liquid gold bubbles to the surface. In this area spring water is just a couple of metres below the ground, and the water is so clean it's ready-made to be mined and pumped.

Big springs has been used by settlers for almost 200 years, but has sold to the public for the just twenty.

 “We consume about five per cent of the well’s capacity. so there's an abundance that flows further down into the creek system," Big Springs’ Greg Hanson said.

Greg Hanson and his partner Pat Wilson run Big Springs. He water is pumped from the well by a simple system, similar to a pool pump. Every day Wilson loads it into a 25 thousand litre tanker.
In this fast turn-around business, it’s “48 hours from the ground to the table," Wilson said.

The tankers unload at the company's $1 million dollar processing plant. Most of the business for Big Springs is in big bottles for offices, and some smaller water bottles.

“The water is filted to 0.2 of a micron, and then we sanitise it,” Hanson explained.

The water costs 50 cents to a dollar a litre to produce. Outside this factory the price can rise five times.
“Unfortunately for us it gets marked up a lot after it leaves our manufacturing plant. And I think some cafes sell if for what they think they can get for it, rather than say ‘I'm only going to put 100 per cent on this," Wilson said.

Canberra University has become the first university in the world to ban bottled water sales. Vice Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker says “I think we're the largest community where there's no bottled water available for purchase."

“We couldn't see the case for selling bottled water in circumstances where you’ve got freely available tap water. So we discontinued the sale of all bottled water on campus," he explained.

140,000 water bottles used to be sold here. These have now been replaced with free water bubblers and low- cost flavoured and chilled water dispensers.

Up the road from the University is Bundanoon - the first town in the world to ban bottled water sales, replacing them with tap water.

Parker however is critical of bans, on health grounds, and says “UK research shows that once you remove bottled water as a sale option, 75 per cent of people will move to higher calory options."

Sales of bottled water have plateaued in the past year, as communities, schools, and governments consider ditching bottled water for everyday tap water, or for filtered options.

“At the end of the day it's water in a plastic bottle with a little label. Bottled water is undoubtedly a total rip off and Australians need to wise up to that scam. We have some of the best tap water in the world, and it's about time we starting drinking it," Dee concluded.