Obesity. Demographic shifts. Technology. Recession. All these and more will affect what fills our plates in 2011.
Genetically engineered food: kill or cure?
According to the FDA US Food and Drug Administration, many of the foods that are already common in our diet are obtained from plant varieties that were developed using conventional genetic techniques of breeding and selection. Hybrid corn, nectarines (which are genetically altered peaches), and tangelos (which are a genetic hybrid of a tangerine and grapefruit) are all examples of such breeding and selection. Food products produced through modern methods of biotechnology such as recombinant DNA techniques and cell fusion are emerging from research and development into the marketplace.
Spilt milk
The past year has been pretty tough for dairy giant Arla Foods. CEO Peder Tuborgh explains the, rather than dwelling on past troubles, the company has its eyes fixed on better times to come.
Safety first
Androulla Vassiliou, EU Commissioner for Health, outlines the law’s role in protecting the continent’s food supplies.
Fair play?
With big name companies like Starbucks and Cadbury now on board, the Fairtrade movement is gathering momentum. Huw Thomas asks if its commitment to social justice and sustainable development can withstand the pressures of big business.
When pigs flu
Prevention is obviously better than cure, so NGF asks what needs to be done to prevent future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases such as swine flu.