Shops strip 'red cordial' chemicals from kids' food

by Karen Collier, Herald Sun, February 22, 2012

SUPERMARKETS are stripping artificial colours from hundreds of foods and drinks because customers are worried about bad behaviour in kids. 

 

Coles has fully removed added MSG and artificial colours from its private labels after a phase out started five years ago.

The retail giant says using natural and "nature identical" substitutes coincides with feedback showing one in three mums believes their children have had a reaction to artificial colours.

Coles head of quality Jackie Healing said many parents feared a "red cordial effect" of unruly children or other side effects.

Extracting colours or added MSG from about 350 Coles, Finest, Smart Buy and Organic products such as lollies, cordials, iced cakes, biscuits, corn chips, tacos and some tinned vegetables without harming taste was challenging.

Woolworths said its Select and Macro labels were already free of artificial colours and added MSG.

Aldi axed artificial colours from its food a year ago.

Food Intolerance Network spokeswoman Sue Dengate accused the nation's food regulator of downplaying problems such as restlessness, irritability, and concentration lapses.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand says some sensitive people suffered temporary headaches, numbness or tingling, flushing, muscle tightness and general weakness from large amounts of MSG.

But there was "no convincing evidence" it caused more serious reactions such as asthmatic attacks.

Alfred Hospital allergy expert Assoc Prof Jo Douglass said:

"Overall, the data to support food chemical and additive hypersensitivity is not very strong, unlike that for true food allergy."

Caulfield North mum Maria Kelty said her son Leo, 4, went through a phase of tantrums until a doctor said to avoid artificial colours.

"When food is automatically supplied without certain ingredients, it is easier than looking at labels with a whole list of things on them," Mrs Kelty said.

See the Official Coles News Release here.

Coles Media Release Feburary 22, 2012

Download the PDF version of this press release here.

Healthy Shelf Newsletter - Summer 2011 Edition

Please note the links on these images are not clickable.  Only past newsletters are made available on this blog for reference purposes.  To receive the current edition each quarter please email your request to mail@healthyshelf.com.au.

 

 

Book Review for The Allergy Epidemic: A mystery of modern life by Dr Susan Prescott

By Ruth Barker, Healthy Shelf partner.

This is a vibrant book, easily read and brimming with enthusiasm.  Dr Susan Prescott is an allergist of international renown now heading the Allergy Clinic at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children in Perth.

Dr Prescott details from where her interest was generated, how much she was mentored and how much she has learnt along the way.  As a result, the history of allergies as we know them is illustrated along with a discussion of where we, the modern world, are headed.  The main lesson, this reviewer learnt, is not to blame any one individual, i.e. ourselves the parent.

The mechanism pathway that the body travels is described – with charts and diagrams – to teach us what happens during acute and chronic attacks.

The second half of the book goes into the more common allergies:  hay fever, asthma, gluten, nuts and more.  Some simple, practical measures to relieve signs and symptoms are detailed if appropriate, as well as some hospital protocols.

I found this a useful book.  I now don’t get upset that my doctor doesn’t always know how to help me.  According to Dr Prescott, most general practitioners received only a skerrick of education in the field when they were at university and have had to pick up any knowledge they have as they go – along with every other condition presented to a GP about which they need to remain current.

I am happy to recommend this book.  Dr Prescott doesn’t tell me of a cure for either my child or I, but she does provide knowledge and knowledge is power:  the power to understand problems better and the power to make more informed decisions.  This, in my book, is a good thing. 

Healthy Shelf is proud to be a supplier of The Allergy Epidemic: A mystery of modern life by Dr Susan Prescott.

All author’s proceeds from the sale of this book will go directly into allergy research.

Free Postage to the Wanneroo area

Healthy Shelf Monthly Giveaway - February 2012

It's that time of year, the kids are back at school and we all have to deal with new people in their lives (and ours!) who may not understand the importance of food sensitvities and preferences.  We'd love to hear your tips and experiences on this issue.  Your comment doesn't have to be related to kids, this issue isn't just a school-related one!

 

Simply leave your comment below and you will go into the running to win a free packet of Orgran Dinosaur Wholefruit Cookies 175g, brilliant for adding to lunchboxes as a small treat!  Please include your first name, surname initial and postcode in your comment.

This competition closes midnight (WST) February 29th 2012 and is open to residents of Australia.  The winner will be posted here on our Healthy Shelf Blog within 48 hours of the close of the competiton. 

 

 

25% Whole Fruit. No Added Cane Sugar.  10.8% Dietary Fibre.

Nut-free, Soy-free, Gluten-free, Wheat-free, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Yeast-free and Vegan. 

The WCIE Back to School e-Mag is available now.

What Can I Eat? (www.whatcanieat.com.au) is a wonderful online resource for anyone with food intolerances or sensitivities.  

Click anywhere on the image below to download this great Back to School e-Magazine published by What Can I Eat? and make your family’s return to school that much easier!

Congratulations to our January 2012 Monthly Giveaway Winner!

Natalie B, you are the winner of our January 2012 Monthly Giveaway, CONGRATULATIONS!  

Please contact us via mail@healthyshelf.com.au with your postal address and we will send your EnviroCare pack, including a 110mL Dishwashing Detergent and a 110mL Sensitive Body & Hair Cleanser, to you asap.   

Thank you to everyone who entered our Monthly Giveaway.  For your chance to win stay tuned to the Healthy Shelf Blog for our February 2012 Monthly Giveaway starting soon!

Moo Free Easter Eggs Now Available To Order!

Poynter Farmers' Market Stall - 31st March 2012

Come join us for a friendly chat and check out our products first-hand.  You can collect your order from us at the market with no charge for postage!  Simply enter the code* "Poynter" as you pass through the checkout; you will not be charged postage and we will have your order ready and waiting for you at the Poynter Farmers' Market detailed below.

*Not available with any other offer. 

Where: Poynter Primary School, Poynter Drive, Duncraig

When: Saturday 31st March 2012; 9.00am - 12.00noon

 

For more information on the Poynter Farmers' Market click the image below.