Citation
Fallows, S. (1999), "Australian food and nutrition Web sites", British Food Journal, Vol. 101 No. 10. https://doi.org/10.1108/bfj.1999.070101jag.001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Australian food and nutrition Web sites
Australian food and nutrition Web sites
Introduction
Looking back over the earlier articles in this series, it becomes apparent that the overwhelming majority of sites reviewed:
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have been based in the UK;
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have been based in the USA; or
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originate within the European Commission.
Since the Internet is an international network, this article will start from a completely different perspective and will focus entirely on nutrition and food science related sites which originate within organisations based in Australia.
This article cannot hope to touch on more than a few of the many Australian Web sites. However, the URLs provided will provide readers with a route into the organisations involved in nutrition and other food-related issues in Australia.
Web site reviews
CSIRO
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is a major multidisciplinary research organisation which employs a staff of around 7,500 located around Australia. The work undertaken covers a broad range of areas of economic and social value to the country. There is a strong emphasis on bringing together teams from different scientific fields to find solutions to problems facing Australia.
The CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition is based in Adelaide, South Australia and aims to provide appropriate research and development to improve human wellbeing and community health while at the same time enhancing the competitiveness of the Australian food industries.
The Division of Human Nutrition welcome page provides menu-based access to, for instance, the following:
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Information on current research programmes.
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Fact sheets on a range of nutritional matters.
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Recent press releases.
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Publications list.
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Information on CSIRO.
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Links to other Web sites.
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The "Live to 100" programme.
The last item in the above list is particularly interesting as it deals with the fact that an increasing proportion of the population lives to the, previously extremely unusual, age of 100 years. The site emphasis is on ensuring that Australians achieve the possible healthy century rather than declining years prior to the end of their potential.
The URL of the general CSIRO Web site (which provides access to all areas of the organisation's work) is http://www.csiro.au/
Access to the Division of Human Nutrition is via the URL http://www. dhn.csiro.au/
Australia-New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA)
The ANZFA is the organisation that co-ordinates many aspects of food policy in Australia and New Zealand. The organisation works in partnership with the Australian and New Zealand governments, the Australian States and Territories and other government agencies. The organisation has links with consumers, the food industry, food scientists and other professionals.
A board with a full-time chairman who is also the chief executive oversees the work of the ANZFA. The six other members of the board are appointed on a part-time basis. The board is constituted to provide a mix of expertise in the food industry, consumer affairs, food regulation and food science.
The functions of the ANZFA are to:
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Maintain the Food Standards Code and develop new standards.
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Co-ordinate food surveillance.
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Conduct research and surveys.
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Co-ordinate a food recall system.
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Assess policies about imported food.
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Develop codes of practice for industry.
(The above list shares many common features with the UK's proposed Food Standards Agency.)
The ANZFA Web site provides a detailed explanation of the organisation's functions (summarised above) and its work mechanisms. The site provides information of relevance to both food professionals and consumers.
Documents posted to the Web site include copies of speeches, fact sheets (including one on GM foods), survey reports, the ANZFA annual report for 1997/98 and news media releases.
The URL is http://www.anzfa.gov.au/
Australian Nutrition Foundation
The ANF describes itself as an independent community-based, non-government organisation which provides information and advice on nutrition, and promotes the health and wellbeing of Australians by making healthy food choices easier.
The ANF Web site provides details on:
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The organisation's constitution.
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Organisation within the Australian States.
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How to join the ANF.
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The ANF National Council and the ANF Scientific Consultative Committee.
The site also includes the text of documents such as:
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Newsletters
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Programme reports
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Position papers
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Published papers
This site also provides links to other nutrition-related Web sites.
The URL is http://www.monash.edu.au/ANF/
Food Law and Policy Australia (FLAPA)
FLAPA provides information about Australian food laws and law-related issues for those in the Australian food industry.
The Web site opens to a page of links to specific information on:
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Current news
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Laws, regulations, codes and industry standards
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Food technology and pharmaceuticals
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Food preparation and handling
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Commerce
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Distribution
The Australian lawyers and consultants, Baldwins, maintain the site. As lawyers, Baldwins give a clear disclaimer that the material is placed on the Internet for information purposes only and that no claims are made for accuracy or authenticity. Readers are reminded of the need to obtain professional advice - which they are very willing to supply!
For Australian food businesses, this site is likely to be a very useful "quick-reference" resource.
The URL for FLAPA is http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/flapa/index.html
Australian Food News
Baldwins also maintains the Australian Food News site as a service to the food industry.
The site provides links to information on:
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Food law (see FLAPA above).
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Australian Food News.
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Supermarkets and grocery outlets ("the Australian food retail scene").
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Australian food companies and organisations (company Web sites, news and information including investment information).
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Fresh produce.
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Food service.
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Food bookshop.
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Job opportunities in the Australian food industry.
Following the food companies link led this author to the Web sites of both clearly identifiable multinational companies (such as Heinz and Unilever) and those whose origins are indisputably Australian, such as Murrumbidgee Dairy Products which is based in Wagga Wagga, NSW.
The AFN URL is http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/
Arbor Communications Guide to Nutrition on the Internet
This, the final Web site in this review, is a real Ozzie gem of worldwide importance. It is a site that has already received numerous accolades for its content and ease of use. The opening page offers six options:
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Searching
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Applied
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Food science
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Home pages
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Clinical
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Food
It also (very unusually) provides very clear instructions on what to do next. This includes a brief indication of what is to be found at each choice.
The choices each lead to major international resources.
The "Applied" choice leads to the following options:
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Government and nutrition
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Nutrition at hospital
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Mailing lists, news groups
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Nutrition at university
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Other organisations
The "Food Science" choice leads to the following options:
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Food composition
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Phytochemistry
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Functional foods
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Food genetic engineering
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Food labels
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Food law, food labels
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Food safety, additives
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Food science organisations
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Food science journals
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Other food science resources
The "home pages" option leads to the following options:
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Government and nutrition
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Nutrition at hospital
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Mailing lists, news groups
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Nutrition at university
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Other organisations
The "clinical" option leads to the following options:
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For family physicians (equivalent to UK GPs)
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Nutrition-related diseases
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At-risk groups
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Nutritional deficiencies
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Nutrients, vitamins/minerals
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Nutrition assessment
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Special diets
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Sports nutrition
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Surgical nutrition support
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Toxicology
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Other
The "food" option leads to the following options:
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Food industry, agriculture
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Functional foods
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Food service
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Cooking and dining
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Cultural nutrition
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Ancient diets
The URL for the Arbor Web site is http://arbor.com/frame/welcome.htm
The Arbor site is a very useful route to a wide range of nutrition-related sources.
Arbor Communications make it very clear, in a substantial disclaimer, that the company holds no responsibility for the content of the Web sites to which it provides links, nor does it endorse statements made in the linked sites. The company also makes it very clear that the site is intended for use by nutrition and health trained professionals. Furthermore, Arbor reminds users that the information should not be used as the basis of management, diagnosis or treatment of any disease or symptom.
The caution set out in the Arbor disclaimer is one which readers should take close account of when accessing any Web site. It is essential to confirm the credentials of those responsible for originating the materials presented.
If you have identified a Web site likely to be of interest to readers of British Food Journal please contact the author of this series of articles as follows: by e-mail to stephen.fallows@luton.ac.uk; by fax to 01234 766926 or 01582 743237; by post at the University of Luton.
Stephen FallowsUniversity of Luton