Women, Older People Are The Most Eco-Conscious, Global Market Study Finds

Women and older consumers across the world are generally more environmentally conscious overall, a new study from market researcher Synovate has found, while young people are the least eco-conscious. The study, which looked at “green” behavior globally, also found that the way people feel about the future, their family, and their country aren’t very important factors in determining green habits. Synovate asked 22,000 people in around the worldt about their recycling habits, purchase of ecological products, purchase of organic foods, etc. Women ranked higher than men across all green behavior categories, and people aged 56-65 years old ranked highest in recycling and buying ecological products. People 46-55 years old were more likely to buy organic food. Lowest green scores among age groups? Young people aged 16-25 years old. Data from the study were also broken down by country.

"Synovate survey reveals latest green habits and consumption across the world", Press release, Synovate, April 07, 2011

Strawberries Inhibit Growth Of Precancerous Lesions In Esophagus – Study

A six-month phase 1b clinical study conducted in China by Ohio State University researchers has found that eating freeze-dried strawberries has a beneficial effect on patients with esophageal precancerous lesions who are at high risk for developing the cancer. The researchers found that ingestion of strawberry as a treatment is not only safe and easy, the strawberries “decreased histological grade of precancerous lesions and reduced cancer-related molecular events.” The 36 participants ate about two ounces of freeze-dried strawberries daily over six months, after which biopsies were taken and analyzed. Twenty-nine of the 36 participants showed a decrease in the precancerous lesions, suggesting that strawberries might someday be used instead of or in addition to chemotherapy drugs for prevention of esophageal cancer.

"Strawberries May Slow Precancerous Growth in Esophagus", Press Release, Ohio State University, April 06, 2011

Nestlé Acquires 60 Percent Stake In Chinese Food Company Yinlu Foods

Nestlé has acquired a 60 percent stake in Chinese food company Yinlu Foods Group for an undisclosed sum. Yinlu Chairman Chen Qingyuan will continue as the top executive under the new ownership arrangement, termed a “partnership” by Nestlé. The acquisition must be approved by Chinese regulators before it is finalized. A well-established household brand in China, Yinlu markets ready-to-drink peanut milk and canned rice porridge, and is a co-manufacturer of ready-to-drink Nescafé coffee in China. Yinlu’s 2010 sales were CHF 750 million (US$843 million). Nestlé has operated in China for more than twenty years, with 23 factories, two R&D centers and 14,000 employees.

"Nestlé to enter partnership with Chinese food company Yinlu", Press release, Nestlé, April 18, 2011

China Cracks Down On Dairy Producers Who Lack Modern Product Testing Equipment

Ongoing government inspections of China’s 800 fresh milk and infant formula producers could lead to the revocation of production licenses of 20 percent of the companies because of inadequate product testing equipment. So far, dairies in Fujian, Guangdong, Shaanxi, Sichuan and Ningxia have been inspected. At least 30 percent of the dairies in four of those provinces are likely to have their production licenses revoked, but fewer than 20 percent of those in Sichuan province. The inspections were expected to be completed by the end of March. The government requires that testing equipment must be able to analyze for 64 additives, including melamine. But upgrading equipment is prohibitively expensive for all but the largest producers, industry analysts say.

"Dairy products crackdown", China Daily, March 28, 2011