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Fresh signs that ANOTHER royal pic was manipulated

Ah, the royal family – the gift that keeps on giving, especially when it comes to Photoshop mishaps. It seems like they've developed a knack for stirring up a digital storm every time they release a photo. The latest kerfuffle involves a seemingly innocent snapshot released to celebrate what would have been Queen Elizabeth II's 97th birthday. But oh, what a tangled web of pixels it turned out to be! The photo, featuring a gaggle of royal offspring including the adorable trio of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, quickly became the centre of attention, and not for the right reasons. According to the eagle-eyed sleuths at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/17/people-question-everything-now-how-kates-photo-scandal-rips-up-the-rules-for-royals-and-the-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a>, the photo looked more like a game of digital whack-a-mole than a family portrait. Prince Louis apparently decided to play hide-and-seek within the frame, magically teleporting to a new position. And let's not forget the hair-raising revelation that some locks on one of the granddaughters seemed to have been copy-pasted with reckless abandon. Maybe they were going for a stylish asymmetrical look? "The photograph taken by Catherine at Balmoral and released last year to mark what would have been the 97th birthday of the late Queen bears similar signs of digital alteration," reported The Guardian. "Prince Louis appears to have been moved back into the frame, while locks of a great granddaughter’s hair show telltale repetitions. Back then, though, the image was not urgently 'killed' by the leading international photo agencies, like the latest one, because it didn’t matter so much." But the fun didn't stop there. Oh no, Twitter had a field day with this one too. Allegations flew left and right faster than a royal corgi chasing a squirrel. The Queen's skirt? Edited. The green sofa? Definitely edited. Heck, there were probably bets being placed on whether the corgis were even real or just digital creations. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Did the late Queen ever pose with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren? Seems like no. 🤔 This photo, taken by Kate Middleton, was edited at least in 9 places. Now the mass media are reporting about it too. A little thread👇 <a href="https://t.co/Sx9XjOBr1J">pic.twitter.com/Sx9XjOBr1J</a> — Katerina 🇺🇦 (@Le__Katerina) <a href="https://twitter.com/Le__Katerina/status/1769399269365088335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2024</a></blockquote> "People need to understand that it's not 'just a family photo'," wrote Twitter sleuth Katerina. "It's made for historical record. I don't think you'd want to see doctored photos in your history books." Meanwhile, in the land of hashtags and filters, speculation about the health of the Princess of Wales, Kate, reached a fever pitch, with <a style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/princess-kate-s-post-surgery-pic-ignites-even-wilder-conspiracy-theories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a Mother's Day photo</a> that looked like it had been through more edits than a celebrity's Instagram post. Kate, surrounded by her adorable brood, found herself at the centre of yet another digital debacle. Who knew a simple family photo could cause such a stir? In a rare move, <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/princess-kate-sensationally-speaks-out-over-photo-fiasco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kate herself stepped forward</a> to offer an apology, blaming her newfound love for amateur photography. Note to self: stick to selfies, Kate. But fear not, royal watchers, for this tale of Photoshop folly is far from over. With a family as unpredictable as the British weather, who knows what digital delights await us in the next instalment? Image: Twitter (X)

Technology

Lots of women try herbs like black cohosh for menopausal symptoms like hot flushes – but does it work?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sasha-taylor-1461085">Sasha Taylor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-davis-10376">Susan Davis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Menopause is the stage of life where the ovaries stop releasing eggs and menstrual periods cease. Most Australian women go through menopause between <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrdp20154">45 and 55</a> years of age, with the average age being 51 years, although some women may be younger. Hot flushes and night sweats are <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2017.180">typical symptoms</a> of menopause, with vaginal dryness, muscle and joint pains, mood changes and sleep disturbance also commonly reported. Up to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25706184/">75% of women</a> experience menopausal symptoms, with nearly 30% severely affected. These symptoms can negatively impact day-to-day life and wellbeing. The main therapies available include menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and non-hormonal prescription therapy. Some women will elect to try complementary and alternative medicines, such as herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. Black cohosh is one of them. <h2>What causes hot flushes</h2> The cause of hormonal hot flushes (also called hot flashes) still isn’t completely understood, but the decline in oestrogen at menopause appears to play a role in a process that involves the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3833827/">area of the brain that regulates temperature</a> (the hypothalamus). Factors linked to a greater likelihood of hot flushes include <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19675142/">being overweight or having obesity</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25706184/">smoking</a>. MHT, previously known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), usually includes oestrogen and is the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26444994/">most effective treatment</a> for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes. But women may choose complementary and alternative medicines instead – either because they shouldn’t take hormone therapy, for example because they have breast cancer, or because of personal preference. Close <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26224187/">to 40%</a> of Australian women report using complementary and alternative medicines for menopausal symptoms, and up to 20% using them specifically to treat hot flushes and sweats. <h2>A long history</h2> Complementary and alternative medicines have a long history of use in many cultures. Today, their potential benefits for menopausal symptoms are promoted by the companies that make and sell them. The <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6419242/">complementary and alternative medicines</a> women often try for menopausal symptoms include phytoestrogens, wild yam, dong quai, ginseng and black cohosh. Black cohosh (plant name Cimicifuga racemosa) was <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599854/">traditionally</a> used by Native Americans to treat a variety of health concerns such as sore throat, kidney trouble, musculoskeletal pain and menstrual problems. It is now a popular herbal choice for hot flushes and night sweats, as well as vaginal dryness and mood changes. There are <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37252752/">many theories</a> for how the active ingredients in black cohosh might work in the body, such as acting like oestrogen, or affecting chemical pathways in the brain. But despite extensive research, the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599854/">evidence to support these theories remains inconclusive</a>. It is also not clear whether black cohosh is effective for hot flushes. Results from individual studies are mixed, with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17565936/">some</a> finding black cohosh improves hot flushes, while <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18257142/">others</a> have found it doesn’t. A 2012 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599854/">review</a> combined all the results from studies of menopausal women using black cohosh to that date and found overall there was no proof black cohosh reduces hot flushes more effectively than an inactive treatment (placebo). <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6599854/">This review</a> also revealed that many studies did not use rigorous research methods, so the findings are hard to interpret. A more recent <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33021111/">review</a> of clinical trials claimed black cohosh may ease menopausal symptoms, but the included studies were mostly small, less than six months long, and included women with mild symptoms. There is also no meaningful evidence black cohosh helps other symptoms of menopause, such as vaginal symptoms, sexual problems, or poor general wellbeing, or that it protects against bone loss. Evidence for how black cohosh is absorbed and metabolised by the body is also lacking, and it is not known what dose or formulation is best to use. More good quality studies are needed to decide whether black cohosh works for hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. <h2>Is it safe to try?</h2> A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33021111/">review of studies</a> suggests black cohosh is safe to use, although many of the studies have not reported possible adverse reactions in detail. Side effects such as gastrointestinal upset and rashes may occur. While there have been <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2008/188/7/liver-failure-associated-use-black-cohosh-menopausal-symptoms#0_i1091948">rare reports of liver damage</a>, there is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21228727/">no clear evidence</a> black cohosh was the cause. Even so, in Australia, black cohosh manufacturers and suppliers are required to put a warning label for the potential of harm to the liver on their products. It is recommended black cohosh is not used by women with menopausal symptoms <a href="https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer/impacted-by-breast-cancer/physical-changes/menopause/treatments-menopausal-symptoms">after breast cancer</a>, as its safety after breast cancer is uncertain. All women should consult with their doctor before using black cohosh if they are taking other medications in case of possible drug interactions. Many women like to try herbal therapies for hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. While black cohosh is generally considered safe and some women may find it helps them, at the moment there is not enough scientific evidence to show its effects are any better than placebo. Women experiencing troublesome menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes, should talk to their doctor about the best treatment options for them.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211272/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sasha-taylor-1461085">Sasha Taylor</a>, Research fellow, Chronic Disease & Ageing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-davis-10376">Susan Davis</a>, Chair of Women's Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/lots-of-women-try-herbs-like-black-cohosh-for-menopausal-symptoms-like-hot-flushes-but-does-it-work-211272">original article</a>.

Body

6 ways to make your bananas last longer

Is there anything more delicious than fresh fruit? Fresh fruit is definitely up there, and it’s hard to beat the taste of a ripe banana. If you’re like us, you’re always trying to keep bananas fresh, especially if you’ve bought a bunch but only want to eat one at a time. Here are some of the most effective ways you can keep bananas from browning too quickly. Hang them Turns out there’s a scientific reason you should be hanging your bananas from a hook. Bananas start ripening as soon as they’re picked from trees – ethylene gas releases from the stems as soon as they’re picked, but when you hang bananas from a hook, the gas works more slowly. Hanging bananas also prevents them from bruising, which they’re more prone to do as they continue ripening. Buy a fruit basket with a built-in hook or a small under-cabinet hook made specifically for bananas. Either way, keep your bananas at room temperature while they ripen on the hook. Buy green bananas The easiest way to prolong your bananas’ shelf life is to buy the greenest bananas you can find. They’re picked while still green, then slowly ripen over time to reach that bright yellow we love. Instead of grabbing perfectly ripened bananas you’re eyeing, grab a green bunch you can hang from your hook and watch ripen. Wrap banana stems Remember that ethylene gas that makes bananas ripen? It comes from the stems, which means you can wrap those stems – with plastic or aluminium foil – to slow down the ripening process. For best results, take your bananas apart and wrap their stems individually. Place ripe bananas in the fridge One of the cardinal rules of banana storage is to never store them in the fridge. But rules are meant to be broken, especially when it comes to bananas. You should keep green bananas out of the fridge, but once your bananas have completely ripened, you can move them to the fridge where the cool temperatures will keep them from ripening further (for a few days at least). Freeze your bananas Freezing bananas is one of the easiest ways to keep them preserved for future use. But how you freeze bananas could have a big impact on how well they thaw. Freezing the entire bunch will darken the peels, and they’ll thaw poorly. Instead, consider freezing peeled, individual bananas or banana slices in resealable airtight bags. Buy a banana storage container Bruising can wreak havoc on your bananas. It leads to squishy parts and faster ripening, which is where hard cases built specifically for bananas come in handy. You can now buy reusable containers designed to hold one banana at a time, which are a great way to keep ripe bananas ready for lunch (or for your afternoon snack). Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/6-ways-to-make-your-bananas-last-longer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Food & Wine

Fresh location being searched in Maddy McCann case

Portuguese police have revealed they will resume the search for missing toddler Madeleine McCann who disappeared in the country’s Algarve region in 2007. Portugal’s Judicial police released a statement confirming local media reports that they would conduct the search at the request of the German authorities and in the presence of British officials. A spokesperson from the fire brigade said police were preparing to start searches at a dam in the southern region of Algarve about 50km inland from a beach resort where Madeleine disappeared from a rented apartment while on a family holiday. On May 22, Reuters TV footage showed police erecting tents and cordons in the area by the Arade dam, roughly 50km from Praia da Luza, where the three-year-old was last seen alive. Portugal’s investigative Judicial Police overseeing the operation declined to comment. Another source familiar with the investigation was not confident there would be a breakthrough, saying, “It will come to nothing”. In mid-2020, German police jailed German citizen Christian Brueckner, a 45-year-old convicted child abuser and drug dealer who was in the Algarve in 2007, for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve where Madeleine went missing. He was identified as a suspect in Madeline’s disappearance but has denied any involvement. Brueckner remains under investigation on suspicion of murder in the McCann case but hasn’t been charged. German police said in June 2020 that Madeleine was assumed dead and that Brueckner was likely responsible for it. In April, a German court dismissed additional charges against him related to other Portuguese child rape and sexual assault cases that led to German prosecutors no longer having jurisdiction to investigate the McCann case. Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann were questioned by Portuguese police as formal suspects in 2007 but ruled them out the following year due to lack of evidence that cleared them of any involvement. The parents continue to campaign to attract attention to their daughter’s disappearance, and British public figures from business tycoons to authors and soccer stars have made appeals for information. Rewards for finding Madeleine have reached several million dollars. Image credit: Getty

News

National Duck Day: Diana Chan’s Luv-a-Duck Peking Duck breast with egg noodles, five spice sauce and fresh cucumber salad

The family owned business and Australia’s leading duck producer Luv-a-Duck has partnered up with MasterChef alum and duck lover Diana Chan, to officially launch National Duck Day, which falls on Tuesday May 23rd, 2023. Diana Chan is a Malaysian-Australian and won the 9th season of MasterChef in 2017. She has since become a well-known TV host, menu designer, product creator and restaurateur, turning her passion for food into her career. Diana Chan’s Luv-a-Duck Peking Duck breast with egg noodles, five spice sauce and fresh cucumber salad Serves: 2 Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 10 mins INGREDIENTS: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 2 x precooked Luv-A Duck peking duck breasts </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 x 400g packet fresh egg noodles (medium thickness) </li> </ul> For the five spice sauce: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tbsp cooking oil </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 2 cloves garlic, minced </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 3 shallots, finely diced </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 50g galangal, sliced </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 50g ginger, sliced </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Leftover liquid from the packet </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tbsp five spice powder </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tbsp tapioca starch mixed with 2 tbsp of water </li> </ul> For the cucumber salad: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 continental cucumber, halved and sliced into 5mm thick chunks </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 30g coriander, roughly chopped </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tbsp black vinegar </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tsp sugar </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tbsp soy sauce </li> </ul> To garnish: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Freshly sliced spring onions </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds </li> </ul> METHOD: <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Cook the peking duck breasts according to the packet instructions (microwave or oven) and set aside somewhere warm. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Preheat a large braising pot or wok. Add cooking oil. Add the garlic, shallots, galangal and ginger and fry until aromatic - about 3 minutes or so. Add the sauce from the packet and the five spice. Allow to reduce for 10 minutes. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Mix tapioca starch with water. Pour it into the sauce liquid while stirring at the same time and the liquid will start to thicken. You can add more tapioca mixture if you don't think the sauce is thick enough. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> While the sauce simmers, reheat the noodles according to the packet instructions. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> To assemble, remove the cooked duck breasts from the packet and slice them into 5mm thickness. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> In a mixing bowl, add in all the ingredients for the cucumber salad and mix to combine. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Place the reduced sauce into the serving bowls, divide the noodles into 2 portions, top with the duck breasts and pour over the sauce. Serve with the cucumber salad on the side. Garnish with some spring onions and sesame seeds. </li> </ol> Image credit: Luv-A-Duck

Food & Wine

7 tips to maintain your herb garden

Whether you love to cook with fresh herbs or are just looking to add something new to your garden, starting your own herb garden is very rewarding. To start your garden off the right way, here are seven tips that will help your herb garden flourish. 1. Choose healthy herbs From the get go, when you purchase your herb you need to make sure it is in a healthy condition. Look for bright colours, no bugs, no eggs and plenty of foliage. Sickly looking herbs should be quarantined from all the other herbs to ensure they do not get infested. 2. Select the right environment If you’ve decided you want your herb garden in a certain area, make sure those herbs can live in that kind of lighting and soil condition. Planting rosemary in a humid area will cause it to die within weeks due to wet feet. The herbs that need to be in the sun will become pale and weak if they do not get enough light. If you don’t have a completely sunny or shady area, then plants your herbs in pots and move them accordingly. 3. Prune regularly All gardeners know that not pruning is a mistake that will detrimentally hinder the growth of your garden. If you don’t prune your herbs, they will only grow taller on a few stems. Lack of pruning will cause the leaves to age, dry and fall off. Make sure you regularly prune your herbs. 4. Don’t overcrowd When you purchase your herb, look at the height and width of the fully-grown plant. Growing too many herbs in the same vicinity will be a waste of time and money as the herbs won’t grow a healthy root system. Without a healthy root system, the herb will struggle to survive and thrive. 5. Stop flower growth When herbs grow flowers, it’s a sign that they are at the end of their life cycle. Once you see a flower forming, pinch off the entire thing to stop it from hindering the growth of the herb. If the herb is persistent then cut the entire stem off. 6. Fertilise and water Herbs need a water schedule in order for them to grow. Never wash out the leaves; pour the water on the soil. Mulch will assist in locking the moisture into the soil. A fertiliser is also important as it will boost much needed growth due to the herb being harvested multiple times in the growing season. 7. Watch what you spray Herbs should never be exposed to chemicals that will be harmful to those eating them. Even if a spray is safe for animal and pets you need to ensure that it says it is safe for edibles. Try using natural alternatives to chemical treatments such as natural fertilisers. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

7 tips to make fresh flowers last longer

It’s always such a nice treat to have fresh flowers in the house – whether they’ve been bought for you by a special someone, you’ve treated yourself, or you’ve just cut them straight from your very own garden. But many people don’t know the correct way to look after a bunch of flowers to ensure they get to enjoy their beauty for as long as possible. So here are some simple tips to remember. <ol> <li>Start with the right kind of vase. Don’t try to cram too many flowers into a small vase – make sure the flowers have room to open fully so you can see as much of them as possible.</li> <li>Remove any low-hanging leaves. You don’t want any leaves to be sitting in the water, so be sure to prune them before putting your bouquet into your vase.</li> <li>Change the water daily. Flowers don’t like to sit in the same water day after day.</li> <li>Trim the stems. Every few days, trim the stems a little, cutting at an angle.</li> <li>Keep the flowers away from direct heat and sunlight. A room that is too warm will lead to wilted flowers, so be sure to choose somewhere that stays cool if possible. If you really want to stretch things, consider keeping the flowers in your fridge when you’re not in the house.</li> <li>When flowers start to wilt, remove any that don’t look so hot and transfer the bouquet to a smaller vase to freshen things up.</li> <li>If you’re left with just one or two late-opening blooms, you can float it in a decorative teacup full of water.</li> </ol> Image: Getty

Home & Garden

A beginners guide to herb gardening

There’s an indescribable pleasure in sauntering out to your garden to pick freshly grown herbs to throw into your homemade dish. Anyone with an herb gardens would agree herbs from your personal garden gives food that extra oomph even freshly bought herbs don’t bring. What’s better is growing herbs is easy! How to grow herbs will depend on the particular herb you’re growing but here are some general rules to consider: Choose herbs you will use Think about what herbs you use for daily cooking. Popular options that enhance many dishes include oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary. Provide sunshine Most herbs need at least 6 or more hours of sunlight a day. There are some shade-loving exceptions like mint but Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary, thyme, lavender and oregano, are drought-hardy and thrive in full sun. However, don’t scorch herbs. Place in an undercover area which receives sunlight. Invest in a good sized pot Don’t crowd your seedlings into a small sized pot. Provide room for them to grow and ensure it is deep enough for the roots to grow. Good drainage Herbs do not enjoy consistently damp or wet soil. Place gravel or stones at bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage. Quality soil Without good soil herbs will not grow properly. Supplement the soil with compost to give seedlings a boost. Water moderately During the early stages of growing herbs, you should water well. Once they are grown though, water moderately making sure you don’t over-water or under-water. Wait before harvesting Allow your herbs to grow before you start harvesting them. Wait into they are well and truly established (around twice the size) before plucking. Prune regularly Once your herbs have grown though don’t skimp on the pruning. This is what makes them grow faster and means more herbs for you to use! Image: Getty

Home & Garden

Why ‘best before’ food labelling is not best for the planet or your budget

UK supermarkets have <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/03/which-supermarkets-are-scrapping-best-before-dates-and-why-17117556/">removed “best before” dates</a> on thousands of fresh food products in an effort to reduce food waste. One of the major supermarket chains, Sainsbury’s, is replacing these labels with product messaging that says “<a href="https://www.fruitnet.com/fresh-produce-journal/sainsburys-axes-best-before-dates-on-more-fruit-and-veg/247057.article">no date helps reduce waste</a>”. Apples, bananas, potatoes, cucumbers and broccoli are among the most wasted foods. Removing “best before” labels from these foods alone will reduce waste by an estimated <a href="https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/food-drink/initiatives/food-waste-reduction-roadmap">50,000 tonnes a year</a>. In Australia we produce <a href="https://www.fial.com.au/sharing-knowledge/food-waste">7.6 million tonnes of food waste every year</a> – about 300kg per person. <a href="https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/external/ba011474a921ef40d77287a482fc9b257083a646708e3b38b6debeea81cdf81b">About 70%</a> of what we throw out is still edible. Why aren’t we following the UK’s example? Some might worry about food safety. But two types of date labels – “best before” and “use by” – are used in Australia. “Use by” labels would still alert us to when food can no longer be regarded as safe to eat. And consumers will still be able to assess the state of fresh produce for themselves. <h2>Food waste has huge impacts</h2> Food waste costs Australia <a href="https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/external/ba011474a921ef40d77287a482fc9b257083a646708e3b38b6debeea81cdf81b">A$36.6 billion a year</a>. This waste occurs right across the supply chain, including primary production, manufacturing, distribution, retail and hospitality. However, households produce more than half of the waste, at an average cost per household of A$2,000 to $2,500 a year. In 2017, the Australian government <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/food-waste?state=tas#national-food-waste-strategy">pledged to halve food waste</a> by 2030 when it launched the <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/waste/publications/national-food-waste-strategy">National Food Waste Strategy</a>. This is a complex issue, but one simple solution could be to follow the UK and remove “best before” dates. <h2>How will you know if food is still safe?</h2> Our labelling system is fairly straightforward, but many consumers don’t understand the difference between “best before” and “use by”. This confusion leads them to throw away tonnes of food that’s still suitable for eating. In Australia, the regulatory authority <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/labelling/dates/Pages/default.aspx">Food Standards</a> provides guidance for manufacturers, retailers and consumers on using dates on product labels. These dates indicate how long food products can be sold, and kept, before they deteriorate or become unsafe to eat. Food with a “best before” date can be legally sold and consumed after that date. These products should be safe, but may have lost some of their quality. Products past their “use by date” are considered not safe. The food supplier is responsible for placing date labels on the product. Differences in packaging and date labelling can be subtle. For example, lettuce sold loose or in an open plastic sleeve does not have a “best before” date. The same lettuce packaged in a sealed bag does. Bread is the only fresh food that uses a different system with “baked on” or “baked for” date labels. Some foods, such as canned goods and food with a shelf life of two years or more, don’t have to be labelled with “best before” dates because they usually retain their quality for many years. They are typically eaten well before they deteriorate. Food producers and retailers are keen to keep the labelling status quo, because it makes it easier to <a href="https://www.vox.com/22559293/food-waste-expiration-label-best-before">manage stock</a> and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1509/jppm.14.095">encourages turnover</a>. <h2>The case for packaging</h2> Some packaging is used to separate branded products such as fruit varieties protected by <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-case-of-the-pirated-blueberries-courts-flex-new-muscle-to-protect-plant-breeders-intellectual-property-126763">plant breeders’ rights</a>, organic products and imperfect vegetable ranges. Once packaged, these products require a “best before” date. Plastic packaging can greatly increase the shelf life of some vegetables. In these cases, it effectively reduces food waste. A striking example is cucumbers. Plastic wrap can extend their shelf life from a <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-some-plastic-packaging-is-necessary-to-prevent-food-waste-and-protect-the-environment-117479">few days to two weeks</a>. Vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower contain beneficial anti-cancer compounds called <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2016.00024/full">glucosinolates</a>. Plastic packaging that seals in <a href="https://www.food-safety.com/articles/1324-naturally-preserving-food-with-gases">specialty gas</a> preserves these longer. However, overcooking quickly erases this packaging benefit. <figure class="align-center "></figure> <h2>Dead or alive?</h2> The chemistry of a fruit or vegetable starts changing the moment it is picked. Some types of produce, such as bananas and pears, are picked early so they ripen in the shop and at home. Other produce, such as sweet corn and peas, rapidly decline in the quality and quantity of flavours and nutrients once they’re picked. Snap freezing is an excellent way to preserve this produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables are still alive. Their cells remain full of chemical reactions and enzymatic activity. This is why a cut apple turns brown. It’s also why ethylene gas released from bananas and other fruits can shorten the life of their neighbours in the fruit bowl. Potatoes, one of the most wasted products, are sold with “best before” dates when packaged in plastic bags. But if stored correctly in low light and in a “breathable” bag (paper or hessian), potatoes stay “alive” and edible for months. Just make sure you cut away any green parts, which <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-you-really-be-poisoned-by-green-or-sprouting-potatoes-63437">contain toxic solanine</a>. As well as fresh produce’s own cellular activity, there is microbial activity in the form of bacteria and fungi. Fortunately, we come equipped with a number of evolved chemical sensors. We can <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-avoid-food-borne-illness-a-nutritionist-explains-153185">feel, see, sniff and taste</a> the state of fruits, vegetables and other products. Trust (and train) your instincts. <h2>Questions to ask yourself</h2> To reduce food waste, we need a combination of approaches, including appropriate packaging, sensible labelling and consumer awareness. Ideally, the <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/pages/default.aspx">Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code</a> would be updated to reflect a more nuanced view of packaged fresh foods. In the short term, consumer awareness and buying power are the best drivers of change. Ask yourself questions like: <ul> <li> Do I need a packaged product? </li> <li> Does the packaging enhance shelf life? </li> <li> Would I buy less if it wasn’t packaged? </li> </ul> Thinking about these questions will help us reduce the impacts of food waste.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/189686/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-grimmer-212082">Louise Grimmer</a>, Senior Lecturer in Retail Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-kilah-599082">Nathan Kilah</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation.</a> Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-best-before-food-labelling-is-not-best-for-the-planet-or-your-budget-189686">original article</a>. Images: Getty

Food & Wine

14 medicinal herbs you can grow in your backyard

Basil This medicinal herb can help with flatulence, lack of appetite, cuts and scrapes. Harvest the young leaves of this annual plant as needed. Chamomile Use the flower heads of this medicinal herb for infusions and salves to relieve conditions such as indigestion and colic, anxiety and tension, and skin inflammations and irritations. Echinacea If you suffer from a cold or the flu, try this medicinal herb to ease the severity of your symptoms. It also helps provide relief to your immune system. Feverfew Use the leaves and flowers of this medicinal herb for teas; chew leaves to ease headache pain (including migraines). It’s also been shown to be one of the most effective natural remedies for arthritis, as well as a treatment for various skin conditions. Wild pansy With anti-inflammatory properties, this medicinal herb is a good home remedy for eczema and skin blemishes, as well as to help loosen phlegm. Lavender Is there anything lavender can’t do? Even smelling this medicinal herb has been shown to calm and relax. It also eases pain, and when applied to cuts and bruises functions as an antiseptic. Lemon balm A relative of mint, lemon balm is a versatile medicinal herb that helps relieve anxiety, insomnia, wounds, herpes, insect bites, flatulence and an upset stomach. Marigold Good for easing sunburn, acne, and blemishes, this medicinal herb also soothes ulcers and digestive problems. Parsley Don’t think of it as decorative on your plate; this medicinal herb is loaded with nutrients as well as healing powers to help with flatulence and bad breath. Peppermint If you have digestion issues or gas, sipping tea made of this medicinal herb might provide relief. It’s also been shown to help soothe headaches. Rosemary This medicinal herb helps memory and concentration, improves mood – and sweetens breath. Sage Sage’s genus name, Salvia, means “to heal,” reflecting its early use as a medicinal, not culinary, herb. It can help provide relief for mouth and throat inflammations. Thyme The active principle in thyme, thymol, is a strong antiseptic. If you suffer from coughs, congestion, indigestion or gas, consider using this medicinal herb. St. John's wort Talk to your doctor if you suffer from mild to moderate depression; she may suggest St. John’s wort. The glossy leaves and yellow flowers are this medicinal herb’s active parts. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/14-medicinal-herbs-you-can-grow-in-your-backyard?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

Where is your seafood really from?

Fake foods are invading our supermarkets, as foods we love are substituted or adulterated with lower value or unethical <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFC-09-2020-0179/full/html">goods</a>. Food fraud threatens human health but is also bad news for industry and sustainable food <a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/I8791EN/">production</a>. Seafood is one of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0305750X14003246">most traded food products</a> in the world and reliant on convoluted supply chains that leave the the door wide open for seafood <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12571-018-0826-z">fraud</a>. Our new <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faf.12703">study</a>, published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faf.12703">Fish and Fisheries</a>, showcases a new approach for determining the provenance or “origin” of many seafood species. By identifying provenance, we can detect fraud and empower authorities and businesses to stop it. This makes it more likely that the food you buy is, in fact, the food you truly want to eat. <h2>Illegal fishing and seafood fraud</h2> Wild-caught seafood is vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing can have a devastating impact on the marine environment because: <ul> <li> it is a major cause of overfishing, constituting an estimated one-fifth of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faf.12462">seafood</a> </li> <li> it can destroy marine habitats, such coral reefs, through destructive fishing methods such as blast bombing and cyanide fishing </li> <li> it can significantly harm wildlife, such as albatross and turtles, which are caught as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320714003140">by-catch</a>. </li> </ul> So how is illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing connected to seafood fraud? Seafood fraud allows this kind of fishing to flourish as illegal products are laundered through legitimate supply <a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/I8791EN/">chains</a>. A recent <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2003741117">study</a> in the United States found when seafood is mislabelled, it is more likely to be substituted for a product from less healthy fisheries with management policies that are less likely to reduce the environmental impacts of fishing. One <a href="https://usa.oceana.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/fraud_gap_report_final_6_6_16.pdf">review</a> of mislabelled seafood in the US found that out of 180 substituted species, 25 were considered threatened, endangered, or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Illegal fishing and seafood fraud also has a human cost. It can: <ul> <li> adversely affect the livelihoods of law-abiding fishers and seafood <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128015926000048">businesses</a> </li> <li> threaten food security </li> <li> facilitate human rights abuses such as forced labour and <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-030-32811-5_127-1.pdf">piracy</a> </li> <li> increase risk of exposure to pathogens, drugs, and other banned substances in <a href="https://usa.oceana.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/fraud_gap_report_final_6_6_16.pdf">seafood</a>. </li> </ul> <h2>The chemical fingerprints in shells and bones</h2> A vast range of marine animals are harvested for food every year, including fish, molluscs, crustaceans, and <a href="https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca9229en/">echinoderms</a>. However, traditional food provenance methods are typically designed to identify one species at a time. That might benefit the species and industry in question, but it is expensive and time consuming. As such, current methods are restricted to a relatively small number of species. In our study, we described a broader, universal method to identify provenance and detect fraud. How? We harnessed natural chemical markers imprinted in the shells and bones of marine animals. These markers reflect an animal’s environment and can identify where they are from. We focused on a chemical marker that is similar across many different marine animals. This specific chemical marker, known as “oxygen isotopes”, is determined by ocean composition and temperature rather than an animal’s biology. Exploiting this commonality and how it relates to the local environment, we constructed a global ocean map of oxygen isotopes that helps researchers understand where a marine animal may be from (by matching the oxygen isotope value in shells and bones to the oxygen isotope value in the map). After rigorous testing, we demonstrated this global map (or “isoscape”) can be used to correctly identify the origins of a wide range of marine animals living in different latitudes. For example, we saw up to 90% success in classifying fish, cephalopods, and shellfish between the tropical waters of Southeast Asia and the cooler waters of southern Australia. <h2 class="align-center zoomable" style="text-align: left;">What next?</h2> Oxygen isotopes, as a universal marker, worked well on a range of animals collected from different latitudes and across broad geographic areas. Our next step is to integrate oxygen isotopes with other universal chemical markers to gives clues on longitude and refine our approach. Working out the provenance of seafood is a large and complex challenge. No single approach is a silver bullet for all species, fisheries or industries. But our approach represents a step towards a more inclusive, global system for validating seafood provenance and fighting seafood fraud. Hopefully, this will mean ensure fewer marine species are left behind and more consumer confidence in the products we buy. Dr Jasmin Martino, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, contributed to this research and article.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/189471/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/zoe-doubleday-393169">Zoe Doubleday</a>, Marine Ecologist and ARC Future Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-australia-1180">University of South Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/where-is-your-seafood-really-from-were-using-chemical-fingerprinting-to-fight-seafood-fraud-and-illegal-fishing-189471">original article.</a> Image: Getty

Food & Wine

Worrying photo sparks fresh concerns for Queen Elizabeth's health

The public has seen their first glimpse of Queen Elizabeth in almost 8 weeks as she appointed Britain's new prime minister in an official engagement. Rather than taking place at Buckingham Palace as per tradition, the ceremony was held inside the green-carpeted drawn room at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The monarch was supported by her walking cane as she invited Liz Truss, Her Majesty's 15th prime minister in her 70-year-reign, to form a new government. Despite Her Majesty looking lively and happy during the meeting, people were quick to spot the large bruise on the Queen's hand, reigniting concerns about the monarch's health. ITV's royal editor Chris Ship said the bruising was a sign of changing times in the Queen's advancing years. "I'm no medic but it could be some form of cannula that the Queen's had, we are guessing," Ship told Today. "Buckingham Palace never tells us about her ongoing medical conditions. She's 96 years old. A frail lady, let's be clear. And queen of advancing age. "We're going to get used to the constitutional diary having to be changed to suit the needs of an ageing monarch." The decision to call outgoing leader Boris Johnson, and his replacement, to Balmoral was taken due to the Queen's comfort. Reports claim that the Queen has been advised against excessive travelling, having reportedly endured "a change in the past few weeks" in her mobility, <a title="The Telegraph" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/09/06/queens-balmoral-audience-liz-truss-sign-changing-times/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Telegraph</a> UK reports. Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

Tips on keeping wine fresh

We’ve all been in the situation (once or twice) before where we’re the only one home one evening, decide to have one glass with dinner and don’t finish off the bottle. So how can you keep the rest of the bottle as fresh as possible? Here we take a look whether simply resealing the bottle is enough or, is it worthwhile investing in one of the various gadgets on the market. Most wine connoisseurs will tell you that wine is almost always best enjoyed on the day it is opened. You’ll find that some restaurants don’t bother with fancy resealing devices and use the cap or cork it came with, as they say that some wines last well into the next day. So why should you bother with one of these whizz bang gadgets? On the other hand, research shows that some restaurants use an argon gas preservation system and that it works really well. As you may have discovered yourself at home, wine doesn’t go off that quickly, per se, but it can lose its quality before becoming unpleasant. The villain to blame in this process is oxygen. If you’re a red wine drinker, you’ve likely heard that giving it time to breathe is a good thing. Well although a little air is often good for wine, the longer it is exposed to oxygen the more it changes. Some wines, typically robust reds, benefit from a day or two of “development” in an open bottle. But in most, fruit smells and flavours dissipate. The wine starts to oxidise and taste sharp and “vinegary”. That’s why wine-saving devices are typically designed to limit contact with air. Winesave A user-friendly delivery system that uses gas that's used by many restaurants to form a protective “blanket” between the wine and the air in the bottle. The at-home version comes in a canister: you attach a tube to the nozzle to squirt the gas into the bottle before reapplying the original seal. Can keep wine well for at least five days. Wine Shield A piece of flexible, circular plastic inserted into a partly drunk bottle to become a floating lid, claiming to keep wine fresh for up to five days after opening. Fiddly to insert – it’s done via the sachet in which each “shield” is packaged – but not hard once you have the knack. You then reapply the original seal. Will keep the wine in good condition for at least three days. Vacu Vin This gadget is designed to suck air out of the bottle. Popular with wine critics, it vacuums out the air. While it is said to not be as great on day two as some of the other devices, it is better on day five than the others. Screw cap In some cases the original metal seal that came with the bottle will keep the wine pleasant on day two but it won’t last until day five like some of the others. At least it is free, though, right? Wine stopper Often made from stainless steel with a plastic interior, these don’t seem to do much. It’s a stretch to do anything that a cork (or screw cap) wouldn’t. So I guess this is a good option if you lose the cork or screw or you have trouble replacing it after you’ve finished.

Food & Wine

Fresh heartache as Oatlands killer wins appeal

The drunk and drugged driver who ran over a group of children in Sydney’s north-west over two years ago has had his sentenced reduced on appeal. The Abdallah siblings Antony, Sienna and Angelina and their cousin Veronique Sakr died in February 2020 when Samuel Davidson ran them over on a footpath as they were walking to get ice cream. He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the four children, as well as a raft of other charges. He was sentenced to a maximum of 28 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 21 years. Following an appeal, the maximum sentence was reduced by eight years taking it to 20 years, with a non-parole period of 15 years. Making him eligible for parole in January 2035. At the time of his initial sentence, Judge James Bennett said Davidson’s dangerous and aggressive driving showed a complete lack of care and concern for the safety of others. “The magnitude of the tragedy extended to the unimaginable” said Judge Bennett. Image: Instagram

Legal

From a series of recipes by Xali: Seared Tuna with Asian Slaw Sesame & Naz’s sesame Dressing

Xali is Australia’s first training, dietary and wellness program to cater to women going through biological changes with a focus on perimenopause and menopause. Created by Northern Rivers resident Naz de Bono, Xali is a daily personalised program that provides workouts, recipes, education and support to women based on the 4 pillars of Move, Eat, Learn & Connect. Xali creates recommendations for women bursting with energy but also provides options for the days when they want to pull back. As women experience biological changes, the way they exercise needs to be adapted. A shift in hormones means women have a higher risk of injury and Naz has created a library of workouts with this in mind. Seared Tuna with Asian Slaw & Naz's Sesame Dressing. Serves 1 Ingredients: ● ¼ whole red capsicum, finely sliced ● ½ cup wombok or white cabbage, shredded ● ½ cup sprouts, assorted ● 1 whole spring onion, finely sliced ● ½ tsp peanut oil ● 1 whole tuna fish steaks (about 160g each, about 2cm thick) ● ⅛ tsp salt ● ⅛ tsp cracked black pepper ● 1 tbsp Naz’s sesame dressing ● 1 tsp pickled ginger, shredded ● ½ tsp sesame seeds, white ● ⅛ whole nori seaweed sheet, very finely shredded Method: 1. In a medium bowl, place red capsicum, wombok or white cabbage, sprouts of your choice and spring onions. 2. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush both sides of tuna with oil, season, and cook until medium rare, about 3-5 minutes either side, depending on your preference. 3. Remove tuna from the pan, allow it to cool enough so you can break up the fish in your hands. 4. Transfer the cooked tuna to the bowl with the salad, then toss with Naz’s Sesame Dressing the place into a serving bowl. Top with pickled ginger, white sesame seeds and very finely shredded nori seaweed. Naz's Sesame Dressing. Everyone always asks for this one, so here it is! The toasted sesame oil really gives it a unique and more-ish flavour! Having a big batch of this on hand assures more delicious salads and avoid any premade nasty dressings and sauces! Keep it in your cupboard, take it to work but be careful all your friends will want some! Naz. Yields: about 300 ml Serving size: about 10 ml per person Ingredients: ● 125ml sesame oil, toasted ● 10ml apple cider vinegar ● 7 ½ ml tamari ● 1 garlic clove, to taste ● ½ tsp chilli flakes ● ⅛ tsp salt, to taste ● ⅛ tsp cracked black pepper, to taste Method: 1. Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend on high for 1 minute. 2. Pour over your fresh salads, steam vegetables or use as a marinade. 3. Store back in a sealed bottle out of direct sunlight or chill. Use within 7 days. Image: Supplied

Food & Wine

Kevin Spacey speaks after fresh sex offence charges

Kevin Spacey has finally broken his silence after being charged with four counts of sexual assault. There had been suggestions he could have been extradited from the US to the UK if he didn’t willingly appear in a London court, however in a statement given to US television program Good Morning America, the two-time Oscar winner said he would “voluntarily appear” in the UK to face the charges. Spacey said he was “confident” he could prove his innocence, after being charged on May 26 with four counts of sexual assault, as well as a charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. All of the counts are alleged to have happened between 2005 and 2013. Four of the alleged offences are said to have taken place in London, while the other is alleged to have happened in Gloucestershire, in the south-west of England. Police opened an investigation into Spacey’s alleged crimes in 2017 and he was interviewed under caution by the police in 2019. In the statement to Good Morning America, Spacey said he “appreciated” that the CPS has pointed out he was entitled to a fair trial. “While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.” he said. The alleged offences date from when Spacey was artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre, in the city’s south, between 2004 and 2015. Image: Getty

News

Charlise Mutten's alleged killer facing fresh charges

The man accused of murdering nine-year-old schoolgirl Charlise Mutten earlier this year has been hit with new charges. Jason Stein was <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/man-charged-with-murder-of-missing-9-year-old" target="_blank" rel="noopener">charged with the murder of his fiancé’s daughter</a> in January, after the little girl’s body was discovered in a barrel near the Colo River, about an hour from the Blue Mountains where she had disappeared from. After his arrest, police conducted a search in the bushland near Mt Wilson - the area where Charlise was last seen - and found two firearms and ammunition, which was seized and forensically examined. Police then visited Silverwater prison and arrested the 31-year-old, charging him with two counts of possessing an unregistered firearm, two for possessing an unauthorised firearm, possessing ammunition without a licence or permit, and aggravated break and enter in company. Mr Stein has also been charged with two counts of possessing child abuse material for unrelated matters. Meanwhile, investigations continue under Strike Force Buena, which was established to investigate Charlise’s disappearance. Images: 9News / Twitter

News

Fresh charges for William Tyrrell's foster mother

Foster mother of missing boy William Tyrrell has been charged by NSW police with stalking offences. This follows two months after the woman was charged with a separate count of common assault. According to The Australian, a court has previously heard that the foster mother intended to have the assault charges dealt with under the Mental Health Act and medical assessments had been undertaken. Both foster parents have also pleaded not guilty to separate assault charges laid in November 2021. All of the charges are unrelated to the child's disappearance from his home in Kendall on the state’s mid-north Coast in 2014. The 56-year-old woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged on Friday. Police reported that Tyrrell’s foster mum and late foster grandmother were being treated as persons of interest in the little boy’s disappearance in November. The foster-parents have maintained their denial of any wrongdoing and no charges have been laid against them in relation to Tyrrell vanishing. Image: ABC

News

ALDI looking for fresh meat (graduates)

ALDI Australia is looking to hire a fresh batch of graduates for their insanely popular program. The German retailer’s graduate program is inundated with applications each year thanks to the attractive $92,000 starting salary, a company car and iPhone, as well as five weeks annual leave. Successful applicants will undertake a comprehensive program over a two-year period while rotating through the exciting challenge of the business. “Our graduate jobs aren’t easy but the greater the challenge, the greater the reward,” their <a href="https://www.aldicareers.com.au/Graduate-Program-Application-Process" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> reads. “You’ll have exposure to serving customers on registers, managing sections in our distribution centre, undertaking site meetings with our property team, and developing your skills as a leader - a career achievement you can be proud of.” Applicants who succeed in their training will take on the role of an Executive Manager, giving them the opportunity to run up three-to-five stores. Peter Slaven recently completed the program and is now an Executive Manager of Store Operation in NSW. “I was prepared for a lot of observation and structured training, however I was pleasantly surprised with how hands-on ALDI’s graduate program is,” he told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/careers/aldis-insane-92000-job-for-uni-graduates/news-story/fbba33620c65bfad5a5f80df3e730155?utm_campaign=EditorialSB&utm_source=news.com.au&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_content=SocialBakers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. “During the program I worked in three cities and over 30 stores, building relationships with close to 500 people. No two days are the same and I learnt to adapt quickly to constant change and I am still learning new things every day.” ALDI group director of human resources and projects Hayden Rydberg said the program attracted people from all walks of life. “It’s an opportunity for ambitious future leaders to hit the ground running in a supportive environment where you will learn directly from industry leaders, all while accelerating your career with a rewarding and dynamic retail business,” he said. Applicants must be in their final year of study or recently completed a master’s degree in any subject. Applications for ALDI's 2023 graduate program close on Monday March 28, 2022. Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

15 foods you can ignore the best-before date on

Ignoring the best before date on some items could save you thousands each year, new research has revealed. While it seems sensible to pay attention to best before labels, you could accidentally be throwing out food that’s perfectly good to eat, according to a food waste movement started in the UK. Too Good To Go has urged shoppers not to rely on best before dates and use by labels in order to tell whether or not food is good enough to eat. It also said Australian consumers throw away around 3.1 million tonnes of food per year which on average costs households between $2000 to $2500 per year, Oz Harvest says. But Too Good To Go, which according to its website is set to launch in Australia soon, says that as long as an item looks, tastes and smells OK, you can probably use it past the best before date. Common items that are safe to eat if they pass this three-step test include eggs, milk and cheese. Frozen food, dried pasta and bread are also likely to remain edible after the best before date has passed. What is a best before date? The best before date is related to quality and there is no harm in eating items that have gone past “best” if they have been stored correctly, like at the right fridge temperature. This is different from the use-by date, which is very important in the safety of food. You can eat food right up to the use-by date but not after, according to <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/labelling/dates/Pages/default.aspx">Foods Standards Australia New Zealand</a>. Even if it looks, smells and tastes OK, food after its use-by date can still contain unseen bacteria that can make you ill. Many people don’t understand the difference between the two labels. “Reducing food waste is a win-win solution,” Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/17743721/foods-ignore-best-before-dates-save-money/">The Sun</a>. “Not only do you reduce its harmful impact on the environment, but you save money in the process too. “In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, reducing our food waste is a really simple and easy thing that everyone can do to reduce their food costs, all the while knowing you’re doing something great for the planet too.” Which products can I eat past the best before date? With food prices rising, household finances are under pressure for millions of Australians. Official data says groceries have risen by 4.2% between December 2019 and December 2021, excluding tobacco and alcohol. That’s a touch slower than overall consumer price inflation which has gone up 4.39% in total over two years. But overall, Australians are reporting feeling like their grocery bills have gone up far, far more than the official figures. Avoiding throwing out food that’s still good could help you save some much-needed cash. Of course, the exact amount you can save depends on how much you usually chuck out and which items you can rescue before they are binned. Here’s what you can eat: Milk Milk is the fifth most wasted food and drink product in Australia, after potatoes, bread, bananas and lettuce according to Aus Food News. With the average cost of a liter of milk currently $1.72, that’s millions of dollars down the drain too. It’s easy to tell if milk has gone off as it can go lumpy, smell funky, or taste sour. Bread If you store your bread in the fridge you can use it for up to two weeks past the best before date. Bread that has gone a little hard will still be great for toast, Too Good To Go says. Bread sold in long-life packaging like pittas can last for considerably longer too – potentially months. Eggs Millions of eggs are thrown out every year. Keep them in the fridge and this could increase usability by as much as three weeks after the best before date. An easy test to see if an egg is good to eat is putting it in a bowl of water – if it sinks it’s fine to eat, if it floats then it’s not. Hard cheese Hard cheeses like cheddar are perfectly good to eat after the best before date. You can cut any surface mould off of hard cheeses and eat the rest safely if it’s free from mould. But this is not recommended for soft dairy products like goats cheese. According to Too Good To Go, spores from mould often pass through soft cheese quite quickly. Yoghurt While the texture and taste of yoghurt may change as time goes on, the acidic nature of the product means bad bacteria are kept at bay almost indefinitely. This is particularly true if the yoghurt is unopened, and has been stored correctly. It means as long as it passes the look, smell and taste test you can eat it several weeks after the best before date. Canned food We’ve all had cans of food lurking for too long in our cupboards at some point and the good news is that they’re safe to eat years after the best before date. That’s because of the extremely high heat process products go through when being canned that kills bacteria and sterilises the contents. Frozen food When you leave food in the freezer the quality deteriorates over time, but it’s still safe to use. It’s generally recommended to eat most freezer foods within three to six months if you want them at their best. Dried pasta Dried pasta can last up to three years after the best before date. You just need to make sure that it’s been stored in an airtight container for that time White rice White rice can last for years too, if kept in an airtight container. It can become stale as the starch naturally crystallises, but it’s safe to eat. But you want to look out for rice weevils, which can appear in flour too. If you spot these, don’t eat it – throw it away. This only applies to white rice though, not brown, as it is refined and the preservatives keep it good for longer. Biscuits Unopened biscuits can be eaten weeks after the best before date and up to six months, according to Wrap. Honey Honey can last for a very long time, according to To Good To Go, even when it crystallises. It’s safe to eat and there’s a simple trick to get the consistency back – just place the jar or bottle into a bowl of boiling water. Soy sauce This cooking essential will last years after the best before date if it’s kept sealed. That’s because it contains a lot of salt, which acts as a preservative. Vinegar Vinegar is used as a preservative, to make other foods last longer like pickles and eggs. So the condiment will last well past its best before date. Sugar Sugar can last indefinitely, the food waste organisation says, just keep it in an airtight container. Bicarbonate of soda If you took up baking during lockdown but didn’t take it up as a full time hobby, you can still dig out and use up an old tub of bicarb. It’s safe to use years after the best before, though be warned that it can lose some of its power as a raising agent. It’s also still good to use as a cleaning agent around the house. Image: Getty

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