Scandal-hit China food firms shut

2007/07/24

SUMARRY

A series of event about sub-standard Chinese products has happened in recent weeks. For example, contaminated wheat protain which were used to make pet foods and moreover, cough syrup contained chemical called TD-glycerin even killed people in Panama. These events are tarnishing the country's international reputation and now, China has come under increasing pressure from countries such as Japan and the US to improve the standard of its food and medicines.

By Michael Bristow, BBC News, Beijing

2007/07/20

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6907929.stm

How to Eat Sushi During a Fish Scare

2007/07/24

SUMARRY

Although the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) banned imports of certain farmed fish and shellfish from China last month, it admits it doesn't know how much of the type of Chinese fish it has now banned has already reached the market. The agency only inspects about 2% of all seafood at the border. As a result, consumers must be vigilant when shopping at the market and ordering at seafood restaurants now. According to the expert's advise, there are three points to assess the fish on the market. First, "educate yourself, and ask lots of questions." When we eat sushi and other seafoods, we should demand to know where the fish is from and be a pain in the low quality fish. Second, "Don't let your eyes be your only guide." Even if the color of the fish is fresh-like on the exterior, some foreign processors may have sprayed fish carbon dioxide to enhance its color. Third, "Be prepared to pay more to insure quality and safety." Industry insiders note that most of the recent scares have involved imported farmed fish that are low-priced, high-volume, mass-market products. So, sometimes, we need to pay a premium at the fish counter for certified, sustainable seafood programs and the healthy fish they produce.

From The Times, By Sonja Steptoe/ Los Angels

2007/07/19

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1644971,00.html

Hollywood in need of Japanese

2007/07/24

SUMARRY

Hollywood's growing interest in Japan, as seen by recent movies such as "Letters from Iwo Jima" and "Babel." However, Japanese characters are often played by Chinese and South Korean actors who resemble Japanese because of a shortage of Japanese actors and those of Japanese descent in Hollywood. But they cannot convey the true essence of Japan as they are not familiar with the culture, and sometimes, such substitutes can cause cultural misunderstandings. So, demands for Japanese actors to play Japanese roles in Hollywood movies are growing. In this trend, a company called Hollywood Comets was established in Los Angels, opened an office in Japan in 2005 to help give Japanese a better shot at passing auditions and to help aspiring them find success on the big screen in Hollywood.

By Seima Oki / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
2007/06/29
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp

Kids learn kitchen fun the safe, healthy way

2007/7/17

SUMARRY

On July 1, two classes for teaching children how to cook healthy meal safely were held at the Yokohama Women's Assotiation for Communication and Networking in Totsuka ward, Yokohama. In the classes, children learned cooking withoiut using naked flames or kitchen knives, instead using microwave ovens and scissors to cut food. Those attend the class were six children aged between 4 and 6, most of whom were from families in which both parents work full time. So, the classes were helpful to children to be able to cook for themselves even if parents are too busy to cook.

The Yomiuri Shimbun. 2007/07/13

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20070713TDY04001.htm