Food in the spotlight — Christmas tips
This week I hope we can all rest a bit from the weariness of a year that personally stretched me like “butter on too much bread”. First of all, I extend you my best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a prosperous and healthy 2022.
With the Omicron variant battering Europe it can be hard to stay optimistic, but being pessimistic never helped anybody. A good share of rest and time with our dear ones can surely help us to refresh our minds and find a better balance.
With this in mind, let me suggest you some interesting resources to employ your free time:
- We just published an article about the new classification of Steviol Glycosides additives in the EU. This brings changes to labeling as well. Check our blog here
- A recent post on LinkedIn became a huge success: it was about the approval of the US FDA of a petition to see Acacia (Arabic) Gum included in the list of dietary fibers, which — under local rules — are the intact and intrinsic fibers contained in ingredients, or the one added to food as such, provided that FDA recognized them beneficial physiological effects.
- Our dear friend and colleague Glenford Jameson posted his actual recap of Canadian food law issues on YouTube (and every year I am jealous of his cinematic setting):
4. last, but not least, I am finishing reading a fantastic book by Jack A. Bobo: “Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices”. The book explores the hidden influences and mental shortcuts our minds use to process information and how that often leads to unhealthy food choices, touching on several topics from labeling to policy, neurosciences, and nudging.
I strongly suggest this reading also to non-specialists, since it happened to all of us to over-heating at Christmas against our own will, or to make bad choices doing our groceries at late hours or working overnight. This book will explain to you how is possible to change other elements of the equation to coopt and reinforce our meager willpower when we have to do hard choices.
Moreover, I have already asked Jack for an interview for our YouTube Channel, and now that the book is finished I’ll knock on his door again to plan it. He’s not just a great expert in the field, but also one of the most entertaining speakers I have ever heard. Jack, be ready!
That’s all for now!
Cesare
