Commission invites submission of posters for forthcoming conference on School Fruit Scheme

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Commission invites submission of posters for forthcoming conference on School Fruit Scheme

On 8 July 2008, the European Commission presented its proposal for the introduction of an EU-wide School Fruit Scheme (SFS). In order to kick-start the linked networking activities, the Commission is now organising a major conference, bringing together experts from all Member states. This event will take place in Brussels in December 2008. As part of this conference there will be a poster exhibition of best practice models to provide SFS project promoters and stakeholders with examples for establishing or improving a School Fruit Scheme. Interested parties are now invited to submit models as posters for this exhibition. These posters must be designed to deliver 'operational' information in an easily understandable way. The posters will be exhibited during the conference and published on the Europa website.

Full details on how to submit best practice models can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/events/conference/index_en.htm

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Public consultation on a draft Opinion related to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a draft of the document on opinion related to Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and is calling for comments from all interested parties.

More information avaiable on EFSA's website .

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IFPRI

IFPRI published its 8-point Action Plan for Food Price Crises in a slideshow.

See: IFPRI action points

Vacancies

IAEA is searching for a Nutrition Specialist to join their team at the Nutritional and Health Related Environmental Studies Section at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. http://recruitment.iaea.org/vacancies/p/2008/2008_031.html
Vacancies: Helen Keller International has various positions open. The job announcements can be found on the HKI website at: http://www.hki.org/about/careers.html.

Specialist Public Health Dietitian/Nutritionist
Notttingham PCT, Nottingham
Closing date: 16 September 2008
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/ecialist_Public_Health_DietitianNutritionist.pdf

Stay Well Programme Co-ordinator
East Potential, Newham, London
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/20080820EastPotentialSWPC.pdf

Community Food and Nutrition Worker
East Potential, Newham, London
Closing date: 3 September 2008
http://www.nutritionsociety.org/files/uploads/20080820EastPotentialCFNW.pdf


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Nutrient Profiles - EFSA

The European Commission has requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to provide relevant scientific advice for the setting of nutrient profiles.

More info on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178689506673.htm

WHO-report: cardiovascular mortality vs CAP

WHO-published research study: Estimating the cardiovascular mortality burden attributable to the European Common Agricultural Policy on dietary saturated fats

A new study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation seeks to quantify the impact of CAP subsidies for dairy and meat commodities on cardiovascular mortality. They estimate that these subsidies led to approximately 9800 additional CHD deaths and 3000 additional stroke deaths within the EU, half of them premature. The study notes that these results were robust in the sensitivity analysis and were very conservative estimates, assuming a 1% reduction in saturated fat energy intake, rather than the 5% and 7% observed in Finland and Poland. For more information see http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/86/7/08-053728/en/index.html .

Another article could respond by arguing that the CAP has contributed to the avoidance of x numbers of victims of anaemia/calcium deficiency/Vit B12 deficiency…

For a discussion of the benefits and disbenefits of livestock products in our diet (in the context of climate change) see the FCRN livestock report pp 86-98 http://www.fcrn.org.uk/frcnResearch/index.htm

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EFSA

EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has today launched a public consultation on its draft scientific opinion on Food-Based dietary guidelines (FBDG). The Panel’s draft opinion provides scientific advice to the European Commission and Member States on how to approach the translation of general nutrient-based recommendations into specific food consumption recommendations, while taking into account the diversity of the European Union population and different countries.

More information on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902049848.htm

EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) has today launched a public consultation on its draft general principles for establishing Dietary Reference Values. EFSA is consulting on its draft opinion in order to ensure that the Panel takes into account all available data and benefits from the experience of public health bodies in the European Union (EU) and worldwide in setting Dietary Reference Values for the different nutrients.

More information on: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902049838.htm

protecting children from commercial promotion of foods and beverages

An update on the Sydney Principles for protecting children from commercial promotion of foods and beverages as just been published in the international journal 'Public Health Nutrition' (Public Health Nutrition: 11(9), 881–886).

More information on the topic is available through the link:
www.iotf.org/sydneyprinciples

PhD Studentship in the subject of Medical Science with an orientation towards Public Health

Description of the PhD project
It is widely recognised that the world’s population is in a continuous state of demographic, epidemiological and health transition, not least as a result of increasing globalisation. It is also true that different areas of the world and particular countries encounter these transitions in various ways and at different times. Although some generic principles underlying these processes were set out in the 1970s, there remains a lack of evidence-based analyses from settings which have already experienced major transitions as a basis for informing understanding and policy in contemporary transitions. The aim of this PhD project is to make use of well-established population-based data (for example, but not exclusively, from Swedish historical population registers) in analyses designed to inform policy in today’s transitional populations.

Qualifications
Prior qualifications are likely to include graduate and post-graduate attainment in discipline(s) relevant to the practice of global public health, including well-developed skills in quantitative analysis. Applicants are expected to be interested in global health issues and be willing to work as part of interdisciplinary and cross-cultural teams within the Centre for Global Health Research and the Centre for Population Studies. This may involve some collaboration in low and middle-income countries. The post will be based in Umeå, Sweden, but may involve some international travel. A good working knowledge of English is essential.
Salary/type of positionThis appointment will initially be offered on a one-year basis as of 1 October 2008, during which time the holder will be expected to develop and register a full PhD plan. Subject to satisfactory progress, subsequent renewals of up to two years each will be granted, up to a total maximum of 5 years, by which time it is anticipated a PhD thesis will be defended. A modest amount of teaching and student supervision may be expected to be part of this post.

Further information
The application should include a Curriculum Vitae, a short description of experience indicating your suitability for the position and your reasons for interest, copies of degree certificates, relevant publications, and contact details for at least two academic references. For further information, please contact Professor Peter Byass, peter.byass@epiph.umu.se, phone +46 73808 3671 or +44 77110 77808.

Additional info through the link: http://www.globalhealthresearch.net/opportunities.htm

France considers higher tax on unhealthy food

from: CBC News
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 4:26 PM ET

The French government is considering raising taxes on unhealthy foods to as much as 19.6 per cent, an official confirmed Wednesday.
No decision has been made, but an expert report advocating an increase in the current 5.5 per cent tax on sweet, salty and fatty foods was leaked to Les Echos newspaper on Tuesday.
An official confirmed the report was being discussed on Wednesday, and said it would be presented to legislators in September.
The extent of the tax and whether it will be implemented is not clear.
For example, it might be easier to impose if it applied to processed foods, but excluded French delights like brie cheese, éclairs and pâtés.
French senators suggested new nutritional taxes last year, but instead asked for the expert report from the government's social affairs and budget agencies.
Budget Minister Eric Woerth rejected the idea Wednesday, on financial grounds. He said it was "out of the question to raise sales taxes on food products," given the higher prices that have cut the population's purchasing power.

Links to other news about this topic:
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/18300/Food/France/new-french-report-calls-junk-food-tax.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601090&sid=abfOXUjwoHMo&refer=france

Letters addressing childhood obesity

Parents of schoolchildren will receive letters from the Department of Health in September 2008 informing them of their children's weight status. Primary care trusts have received a detailed instructions and a sample letter, explaining how to convey to parents the results of the National Child Measurement Programme. The report called for the words "fat" and "obese" not to be used, which might alienate parents. Instead, obese children will be referred to as being "very overweight."

More info available on UK Department of Health: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Healthyliving/DH_073787

Information received via: [ProCOR] Global CVD Prevention News Update: 6 August 2008

Eat less to tackle climate change

Pimentel D, Williamson S, Alexander C E, Gonzelez-Pagan O, Kontak C and Mulkey SE (2008).
Reducing energy inputs in the US food system. Human Ecology, August 2008

An estimated 19% of total energy used in the USA is taken up in the production and supply of food. Currently, this mostly comes from non-renewable energy sources which are in short supply. A paper just published in Human Ecology, sets out a number of strategies which could potentially cut fossil energy fuel use in the food system by as much as 50 percent.
The first suggestion they put forward is that individuals eat less – apparently the the average American consumes an estimated 3,747 calories a day, 1200-1500 calories over recommendations. They also recommend converting to diets lower in meat. With respect to food production, the authors recommend moving towards more traditional, organic livestock farming methods; similarly, in crop production, reduced pesticide use, increased use of manure, cover crops and crop rotations improve energy efficiency.
Finally, changes to methods of food processing, packaging and distribution could also help to reduce fuel consumption. Although well-established energy-saving considerations in lighting, heating and packaging materials all have their part to play, the authors again highlight individual responsibility as having the biggest impact. They contend that the most dramatic reduction in energy used for food processing would come about if consumers reduced their demand for highly processed foods. This they say would also help cut down food miles and its related fuel cost as US food travels an average of 2,400 km before it is consumed. This study argues strongly that the consumer is in the strongest position to contribute to a reduction in energy use.

EU Commission Proposal on School Fruit Scheme

The European Commission have proposed to establish a European Union-wide scheme to provide free fruit and vegetables to school children. European funds worth €90 million every year would pay for the purchase and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables to schools, and this money would be matched by national funds in those Member States which chose to make use of the programme. This is the latest stage in the Commission's efforts to improve health and nutrition, as set out in the 'Strategy for Europe on Nutrition, Overweight and Obesity and related health issues'. The School Fruit Scheme aims to encourage good eating habits in young people, which studies show tend to be carried on into later life. Besides providing free fruit and vegetables, the scheme would require participating Member States to set up national strategies including educational and awareness-raising initiatives and the sharing of best practice. An estimated 22 million children in the EU are overweight. More than 5 million these are obese and this figure is expected to rise by 400,000 every year. Improved nutrition can play an important part in combating this problem. The proposal will now be sent to the Council and European Parliament.

Read more here:
http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/markets/fruitveg/sfs/index_en.htm