Crossing the Atlantic ups fat content
NUTRITION labelling on a packet of potato-chip snacks may seem pointless – nutrition having little to do with such products – and shipping them from the UK to the US even more so. But Perry Bebbington observes something still stranger.
The 30-gram packet of Sweet Chilli and Red Pepper chips he has just eaten informs him that it contains 2.4 grams of protein, 1.4 grams of sugars and 0.7 grams of saturated fats. Beneath that is another panel headed “Nutrition facts USA” informing him that 1 ounce (28.35 grams) contains 2 grams of protein, 1 gram of sugars and 1 gram of saturated fat.
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From this it follows that, on reaching the US, the contents of the 30-gram pack contain 2.1 grams of protein, 1.1 grams of sugars and 1.1 grams of saturated fat. What happened to the protein and sugars that went missing during the journey across the Atlantic? Were they somehow transformed into the extra saturated fat?
We suspect not, and that the blame lies with different rules about rounding measurements – but that only raises further questions. Are British consumers considered less likely than Americans to be fazed by decimal points, or has the European Union ruled that, fazed or not, they will just have to cope with it?
Feedback has a suggestion that would avoid such complications: simply alter the regulations to require certain snacks to be labelled “Not very nutritious”.
“The pack of Cripps Nubake traditional English muffins Barry Giles bought in Hobart, Tasmania, on 20 February advised him: “Best before 30 Feb”
SCALAR waves are really taking off as a marketing meme for paramedical marvels. These waves are almost-certainly-fictitious entities borrowed from “free energy theories”, as Feedback discussed two weeks ago (27 February). Now Oli Dipple alerts us to the “” – whose name is surely warning enough of fruitloopery.
Indeed, it “is made from natural minerals that are fused and structurally bonded together at a molecular level”. Looking at the illustration on the site, we translate that last bit as “glued”.
Reading on, we find that the seller – who promises the capacity to deliver 100,000 a day – is right up to date with the jargon (give or take a typo): “It produces Scalar Energy that helps to enchance your body’s biofield.” But wait: “When these products are ingested, the healthy energy is transferred to cells where the component nutrients end up.” Indigestion is the least horrible of the outcomes that our boringly sceptical minds predict.
Reading by the light of your feet
READER Renee Colwell says she already knew “from countless items in Feedback” that her body “produces energy”. Now she has discovered that this energy may come in the form of light.
Specialist produces socks for people with diabetes, using a material known as Holofiber, for which it makes some modest and quite plausible claims. On the FootSmart site, where these socks are also sold, the claims become rather more extravagant. “Scientific studies,” , “show that Holofiber responds to light and energy produced naturally by the body, which improves circulation and oxygenation in the feet by 10 per cent.”
“Guess I can toss out the bedside reading lamp, and use my feet instead,” says Renee.
THE medical site has this to say about : “Nexium should be taken at least one hour before a meal. Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.”
That seems clear enough – but Brian Smith, who told us about this, points out that the very next line says: “You may open the delayed-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of pudding or apple sauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. “
Take your pick.
THE UK’s Royal Society for the Protection of Birds gives advice on bird-feeding hygiene to prevent disease among birds weakened by the country’s long, cold winter. A list of recommendations on the RSPB website at includes comments from the organisation’s wildlife adviser, who is none other than Kirsi Peck.
WHEN Kevin Picton tried registering for the daily newsletter of the magazine Inside Retailing, he was told in no uncertain terms: “The password specified is invalid. Please specify a valid password. Passwords must be at least 7 characters in length and contain at least 0 non-alphanumeric characters.”
He is still trying to work that one out.
FINALLY, one from the department of the blindingly obvious. Robert Rogers bought an “Elegance Touch-control illuminated beauty mirror” for the bathroom. Among the 16 warning instructions was Number 15: “Never use while sleeping.” He wonders what he would see in the mirror if he did.
