A step closer to GM approval in Europe - It seems no decision is a good decision when it comes to the GM approval process in the European Union.
While in a vote this past Monday, the EU Agricultural Council did not reach a consensus on whether or not to allow in seed of the current InVigor varieties, it should still be approved by default, according to JoAnne Buth. Because the result of the vote was not a qualified majority, the European Commission must make the decision, then the methodology of detection must be validated.
InVigor canola seed has passed the EU safety evaluation and no human or environmental safety issues were discovered. The European Commission has historically based its decision on the safety evaluation, Buth says. "It means that we are one step closer to accessing the EU market, but it is only one step," explains the Canola Council vice-president of crop production. The detection method for the GT73 event in Roundup Ready canola also must be validated and the T45 event must be approved before Canadian canola can be imported.
More countries embracing biotech - The chair of the International Service for the Acquisition of Agribiotech Applications has forecast that the number of countries growing biotech crops will at least double by 2015. Speaking at the World Grains Summit, Clive James also said the number of biotech farmers is forecast to increase from 8.5 million to 20 million, farming 500 million acres.
Most growth in biotechnology is expected to occur in the key developing countries in Asia, led by China and India, Pakistan and Vietnam. Brazil also has enormous potential to become the leading GM crop producer in Latin America, while the number of biotech countries in Africa is expected to increase only modestly. James reported the ISAAA expects to see a "slow to modest" growth in the EU.
ISAAA is a non-profit organization designed to promote biotechnology in developing countries. Canola oil model study on the ADA program in Honolulu - Guy H. Johnson, PhD, president, Johnson Nutrition Solutions LLC, told participants to the American Dietetic Association's Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo September 17 that substitution of canola oil for fats commonly used in the United States would increase compliance with dietary recommendations.
This finding was determined by a modeling study Guy conducted that examined the effect of substituting canola oil for selected vegetable oils and canola oil-based margarine for other margarines and butter in the diet of adult Americans.
For more details, check http://www.canola-council.org/canola-oil/canola-oil-for-healthy-cooking/cooking-model-study.shtml
Aussies weighing decision on trans fat - The Australian government has a decision to make regarding legislation of trans fat content and/or trans fat labelling on food products. According to media reports down under, bad publicity has lead food manufacturers to dump trans fat from their products, often increasing saturated fat content as a result. However, Australian government policy considers sat fat even more dangerous. Food Standards Australia New Zealand says saturated fats are at a more dangerously high level of consumption than trans fat.
It is mandatory in Australia to list saturated fat content on the label, but labelling for trans fat is only required if the product makes a nutritional claim, such as being low in fat or cholesterol.
FSANZ has been instructed to review its stance on saturated fat versus trans fat, and its decision is expected early next year.
Canola oil tasting a big hit with foodies - Canola oil turned some heads at a unique event during this week's Cuisine Canada National Culinary Conference in Winnipeg, MB. A group of 24 chefs, food writers and canola industry participants took part in an oil tasting at James Richardson International's Kelburn Farm on Sept. 18.
Each person tasted small samples of "classic" canola oil, two different samples of high stability canola oil, and one cold pressed canola oil. Following the oil tasting, everyone donned aprons and helped chefs Michael Schafer and Craig Guenther prepare four recipes featuring canola oil. The idea was to encourage food professionals to think of canola oil not just as a commodity, but as a specialty product, says Ellen Pruden of CanolaInfo, who organized the event. Canola oil was featured throughout the three-day event, which attracted 150 culinary professionals from across the country. Every recipe at the opening dinner was made with canola oil, including a pallette-cleansing berry sorbet. CanolaInfo also presented Canola Camp alumni at the conference with canola oil spa baskets.
Recipes and pictures from Cuisine Canada and the CanolaInfo tasting event are all available on the CanolaInfo website www.canolainfo.org.
Not just for adults anymore! - Babies in Atlanta, Georgia have it made at Play 2 Grow, a child development centre that recently opened in nearby Buckhead. One of the featured activities is an hour-long canola oil massage performed by mothers on babies from two to six months old.
Did you know?... Gerber makes a face moisturing stick for babies called Teeny Faces that is made with canola oil.
« back