Kiwi or not

Native New Zealanders are mourning the ongoing loss of shelf space that is hitting some of their most familiar ag products. From the April 2 story:



So you thought "Kiwi Bacon" was - well, Kiwi bacon. In fact, a packet of Kiwi Bacon may contain as much New Zealand pig as Ribena contains Vitamin C. The packets stacked high at the supermarket feature a little brown kiwi. The label says this is "the taste of New Zealand". In a world of global brands and faceless multinationals, here is something that belongs to us. Our bacon, from our pigs. What the packet does not say is that the bacon may have come from a giant hog farm in Quebec or a piggery in Iowa. chronicles how growing unease about the "industrial revolution come to agriculture" and the growing presence of imported food sparked the move to country of origin labeling.

Chef Peter Gordon, currently visiting New Zealand, says Wattie's peaches were part of his childhood. "They were velvety, really delicious," says Gordon. "Especially in summer, you'd open a can of peaches and pour on some runny cream from the milkman. It was really just the best dessert in the whole world." For Gordon, the industrialisation of the food chain is throwing up thorny questions for consumers who could once unthinkingly place goods in their basket. He is torn, because he knows New Zealand is a country that makes its money by putting its food on other people's shelves. Back in London, he is constantly badgered by people who say he should not be promoting New Zealand lamb or New Zealand kiwifruit.


TK: It is demonstrative that even New Zealand, which relies so heavily on exports for its own ag production, also feels the pressure for country of origin labelling on some products - notably pork, wheat and canned and frozen produce. While Australia will have country of origin labeling by the end of the year, the story notes the New Zealand government vetoed legislation a year ago that would have required country of origin labelling on most food, including fresh produce.


Meanwhile, this story talks about how some U.S. food marketers are using the Web to enhance information they provide to consumers about the origin of their food.