LOL, Fooled Again: Researchers devise 'healthiest meal ever'

A team of researchers inspired by the 222 food-related health claims recently approved by the European Commission have come up with one meal that incorporates them all.

LOL, Fooled Again: Researchers devise 'healthiest meal ever' 800leatherheadairlineme

Under EU rules, any nutrition or health claims in food advertising, marketing and packaging must be approved based on "substantiated" scientific evidence. That means any claim or suggestion of health benefits -- from a simple 'low fat' to more sophisticated promises of immune system strengthening, for example -- must make their way through the approval process.

European Food Safety Authority scientists released their list of approved health claims in May, after a five-year process that saw them whittle a list of thousands of submissions to the final 222.

The CEO of the independent British-based Leatherhead Food Research said he was returning from a conference when he decided to challenge his team to come up with a single meal that could legitimately make all of the 200-plus claims now approved by Europe's food watchdogs.

"I had spent 3 days talking about health claims and at a round table event I suggested that Leatherhead could make a product with all 222 claims, no problem! It wasn't that simple, but we did it within one week," Dr. Paul Berryman said in a statement.

Rather than a meal you might enjoy at a restaurant or even at home, the menu that Berryman's team of scientific, regulatory and marketing experts devised is designed to be enjoyed in the air.

The airline meal concept menu starts with a fresh and smoked salmon terrine that's good for the arteries, heart, and the brain. There's bread too, with a high-fibre multigrain roll that manages to pack 17 health claims in the one bun.

Then it's a mixed leaf side salad with an extra virgin olive oil dressing that's aimed at maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

For mains, a chicken casserole with lentils and vegetables checks off more claims related to iron absorption, vitamins and minerals. In fact, the entree is so nutritious it can lay claim to at least 80 sanctioned benefits that also include building muscle, reducing fatigue and even improving mental performance.

And finally, satisfy your sweet tooth -- not to mention the health of your teeth, gut and blood glucose -- with a live yogurt blancmange pudding dessert featuring walnuts and a sugar-free caramel flavoured sauce.

Chase it all down with a custom cranberry, raspberry and elderflower flavoured sports drink that includes a litany of nutrients including biotin, calcium, zinc, chromium copper, iron, potassium, selenium, and magnesium.

There should still be room for one of the included activated charcoal tablets, researchers suggest, as they're particularly good for reducing flatulence in the close quarters of the airplane cabin. Washed down with pure spring water, of course.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120618/leatherhead-research-healthy-meal-menu-concept-120618/

LOL, Fooled Again: Researchers devise 'healthiest meal ever'

LOL, Fooled Again: Researchers devise 'healthiest meal ever'

Anarcho-Capitalist Categorical Imperatives

AnCaps In Science, Technology & Environment