Posted on Dec 16, 2018
Some years ago, I attended a conference in Malaysia. I remember one fascinating presentation describing how fish were caught near Singapore and then sent to another country for processing. The fish fillets that returned from processing had a different DNA profile than the fish that left. Interesting. One of two things were happening: it was either magic or fraud. My money is on fraud, and, coincidentally, money is the main driver behind all types of food fraud.
Posted on Dec 12, 2018
Is it time to revisit our traditions if those traditions are now punctuated by unsustainable food related behaviours?
Posted on Dec 12, 2018
By the numbers it would seem that the festive season is also the wasteful season. Is it time to rethink how we celebrate?
Posted on Dec 10, 2018
Returning from the final EU Food Integrity conference - a meeting of thought leaders in the world of scientific methods to combat food fraud - I must confess to a feeling of Deja vu. I have been here before and listened to several the same scientists (all of whom I greatly respected). I sat in similar darkened auditoriums and wandered around other poster sessions brimming with complex diagrams, details and data; navigated trade displays from leading scientific providers; and networked with friends and colleagues, regulators and providers. On previous occasions, as with this one, we all had a common purpose – a desire to make food supply chains safer.
Posted on Dec 06, 2018
The terms ‘food authenticity’ and ‘food integrity’ are bandied around a lot (particularly by those working to support food supply chains) and the state of ‘integrity’ has become something like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We can see the rainbow (problem) but can never get to the desired outcome (food integrity), or that’s how it seems, at least.
Posted on Dec 03, 2018
Writing about another Nigella, or a new form of food fusion, could be quite the way to grab the attention of those interested in food systems. Sadly, however, this post is about a new theory of the relationship between all things food; and where those relationships overlap and compete.
Posted on Nov 21, 2018
Nearly 100 years ago, the first inflight meal was served – for 3 shillings (around £6 in 2018 terms). Passengers aboard a London-to-Paris flight could purchase a pre-packed lunch, consisting of a sandwich and fruit. Fast forward to today and some airlines still offer the ability to purchase pre-packed lunches (although add in a considerable amount of packaging) but there are also other meals available that are optimistically described as ‘gourmet’ by airline marketing departments.
Posted on Nov 19, 2018
What do cheese making, cardiac bypass and newborn infants all have in common? They may benefit from animal by products.
Posted on Nov 16, 2018
A short video with a few tips and tricks for reducing food waste in the home
Posted on Nov 14, 2018
Front of house or wait staff are the conduit between kitchen and mouth, they can provide information about food ingredients, presence of allergens, portion size etc. While chefs rule the culinary creations, the front of house staff make sure that the right food goes to the right person. Is it time to rethink these roles and how front of house could improve the way with which we interact our food?