Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
On the way to a uniform international standard for the quality assurance of feed materials
In order to harmonize the differences in quality assurance systems around the world, four organizations - AIC for the UK, OVOCOM for Belgium, the Wirtschaftsgruppe für Tierfutter for the Netherlands and QS for Germany - are working together with FEFAC (European Feed Manufacturers Association) on a joint initiative to establish the International Feed Safety Alliance (IFSA).
This alliance is developing a common standard for the quality assurance of feed materials. The individual standards, which are currently owned by the four national organizations, will then be converted into a common standard.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
It is estimated that the number of pigs slaughtered in the Netherlands in 2004 will be 13,9 million. This amount is almost identical to that of the previous year (13,8 million). This stabilization was able to occur regardless of the fact that the number of pigs and thus also the gross domestic production (BEP) decreased by 2004% in 3,9. The decline in Dutch pig production is mainly explained by the reduced export of live piglets and pigs for slaughter.
The preliminary results of the census in Dutch agriculture show that the pig population in April 2004 comprised 10,75 million animals (-3,8%). The number of sows in particular declined by a good 5,4%. The aforementioned decline in the number of sows also means a decrease in the supply of piglets and thus fewer exports of live piglets. Pig production for slaughter will only decrease to a limited extent this year. The decline in this production sector relates exclusively to the reduced export of slaughter pigs. This trend was evident during the first 33 weeks of the year and is expected to continue throughout the rest of the year. In the period up to and including week 33, these exports decreased by 16%, or 9% compared to the same period last year.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
In the Netherlands, more than 95% of all calves are reared according to the regulations of the IKB calf quality assurance system. An important part of quality assurance in the calf sector is the intensive control of the use of prohibited substances. In 2003, a prohibited substance was detected in 0,02% of all calves examined. These animals were taken off the market to avoid recurrence.
All large veal slaughterhouses in the Netherlands are affiliated with the Foundation for the Quality Guarantee in the Veal Sector (SKV). The slaughterhouses undertake to only slaughter calves with a quality certificate. This quality certificate is issued by SKV and states that the animals delivered by the veal farmer have been checked and that no prohibited substances have been found.
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14 children visit the Schiller butcher's shop and the farm of the Wilhelm family - part of the holiday program
Summer vacation is a great invention. But what do you do with all that time when everyone but you are away? When it rains, your parents work all day and you get really bored? Clever Viechtach children have long since registered for the city's holiday program. For example, to look over the shoulder of a butcher at work with the craftsmen's association and to experience everyday life on a farm.
"And you want sausages out of it?" Eight-year-old Lukas can't really imagine that the brownish mass that's being kneaded in the cutter will end up on the kitchen table as a tasty treat. Like the 13 other children, he cranes his neck curiously when Max Brem, a journeyman butcher at the Schiller butcher shop, throws pork, beef, bacon and spices into the loudly rotating machine. A single step results in a surprising number of sausages, as master butcher Stefan Schiller sen. explains to his young guests: "This mass is used to make 75 kilograms of Wiener Würstl, i.e. around 1500 pieces."
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New marking from October
Health-conscious consumers now have even more choice: in addition to diet margarine, milk drinks, yoghurts and yoghurt drinks have been bustling about in the refrigerated section for a few weeks, advertising that they lower cholesterol levels. From October 21, 2004, these foods must be labeled in detail according to EU regulation no. 608/2004, because they contain secondary plant substances with positive but also undesirable effects.
These are plant sterols that naturally occur in small amounts in sunflower seeds, nuts and legumes, but also in vegetables. They have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. The side effect: If consumed regularly, they can also reduce the beta-carotene level in the blood serum. However, natural beta-carotene from fruits and vegetables is considered a valuable antioxidant that plays a role in preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer.
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Marketing advantages through EU-wide protection
At an expert forum in Frankfurt am Main on October 28, 2004, experts from the areas of marketing, law, research and administration provide comprehensive information on the topics of protected designations of origin (PDO) and protected geographical indications (PGI) in accordance with VO EEC No. 2081/92 and guaranteed traditional specialty (gtS, VO EWG No. 2082/92). The CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH organizes the expert forum in cooperation with the Deutscher Fachverlag, which serves to provide information and exchange experiences.
The registration of products as PDO, PGI or TSG offers EU-wide protection against misuse and imitation. Unlike PDO and PGI, a Traditional Specialty Guarantee is not tied to a specific geographic region. Rather, a specific composition or a manufacturing process is protected here.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
New CMA / DFV seminar on meat quality and customer requirements
Aligning the product range with the needs of consumers is an important factor in sales success. This applies above all to the offer and sale in butcher's shops. Its trumps lie in the competent and personal advice provided by the salespeople and in a range of products tailored to the wishes of the customers. The CMA Centrale Marketing-Gesellschaft der Deutschen Agrarwirtschaft mbH and the DFV Deutscher Fleischer-Verband eV are pursuing the goal of supporting the butcher trade in competition with the retail chains and consolidating its position in the food market – or: How to convince your customers in the long term”.
The seminar will take place on October 4th and 5th in Vechta, Lower Saxony, and is aimed at owners and managers in specialist butcher shops. In the seminar, lecturer Hubert Gerhardy demonstrates which factors are responsible for the quality of meat as a commodity. In doing so, he is primarily pursuing the goal of making participants even more aware of the fact that meat quality is of crucial importance for business success.
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Soul in distress - workshop for teachers
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (anorexia nervosa), bulimia nervosa (bulimia nervosa) and binge eating disorder (cravings without subsequent weight gain measures) are among the most common mental disorders in female adolescents.
Outsiders do not always recognize eating disorders easily, since those affected maintain secrecy and often lead a veritable double life. Clues are the avoidance of eating situations such. E.g. invitations, family meals, school breakfasts or excursions. Significant weight loss or weight fluctuations, excessive sport, social withdrawal, physical exhaustion, concentration problems and mood swings can also be signs of a mental disorder. To make matters worse, those affected often refuse help.
Submitted by Thomas Pröller, meat-n-more on , Published in Archive
Coffee is part of the fluid balance, reports Judith Bünker, a graduate ecotrophologist from the Society for Nutritional Medicine and Dietetics in Bad Aachen. The assumption that coffee does not contribute to covering the daily liquid requirement is a widespread misconception, explains Sven-David Müller, spokesman for the society.
The advice that the same amount of water should be drunk with every cup of coffee to compensate for the loss of fluids caused by coffee is scientifically untenable. Then coffee would be a prescription diuretic, i.e. a highly effective diuretic drug and not a drink, says Müller. A study published in the prestigious Journal of the American College of Nutrition examined the impact of caffeinated, decaffeinated, high-calorie, and zero-calorie beverages on fluid balance. The 24-hour urine served as the measurement variable.
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Results of the GfK consumer climate study in August 2004
After the consistently negative values of the previous month, the indicators that express the mood of German consumers speak a mixed language in August. While economic expectations increased slightly and propensity to buy increased somewhat more significantly, expectations regarding personal income development went down slightly. Since the weak increases in the economic expectations and propensity to buy indicators in August could not compensate for the losses of the previous month, GfK is forecasting a consumer climate value of 3,0 points for the month of September – following the revised 2,0 points in August.
Compared to the month of July, in which all indicators that record consumer sentiment in Germany were in decline, the changes in the indicator values in August paint a rather diffuse picture. The good news is that the downward trend in the individual indicators has not continued as clearly as in the previous month, the bad news is that a clear upward movement is still not in sight. While Germans are slightly reducing their income expectations, their inclination to make larger purchases is increasing again. With regard to the expectations for the economy, the value has increased only slightly compared to the previous month. The consumer climate indicator is forecasting a value of 3,0 points after the revised 2,0 points in August.
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Schleswig Administrative Court dismisses the vzbv's claim for information about violations of the Calibration Act
Sensitive official data on violations of consumer protection remain under lock and key. This is the decision of the Schleswig-Holstein Administrative Court in a procedure sought by the vzbv against the Calibration Directorate North. The lawsuit was triggered by the refusal of the Calibration Directorate to provide specific information about control data on deceptive packaging. "The ruling makes it clear that German authorities are still treating their files as secrets and are thus withholding important information from consumers," said Patrick von Braunmühl, deputy board member of the vzbv. "It is high time for a nationwide Freedom of Information Act that creates legal certainty."
The vzbv does not believe that the administrative court's reasoning for placing the company's interest in secrecy above the interest of consumer protection is tenable. According to the court, the official data are subject to secrecy for reasons of the companies' competitiveness, even if the companies' behavior is unlawful. According to the judges, consumers' interest in information only outweighs dangers to life and health. On the other hand, the inaccuracies found during bottling resulted in only a minor disadvantage for consumers. "It is absurd to justify the refusal to provide information with the preservation of the competitiveness of the company," said von Braunmühl. "Competition works through transparency, not through secrecy." Consumers have a right to know which companies are complying with the law and which are not. The vzbv will appeal the verdict.
