Indians eat snakes, Thais - insects (such as crickets), Japanese - sharks, Chinese - dogs and cats, Filipinos - balut (fertilized chicken embryo) and bagoong (putrid-smelling fermented fish or shrimps). So, what’s the fuss about horse meat?

About a kilometer from where we live there used to be a butcher that specialised on horse meat. Coming from Australia, I thought it was weird to think of horse as “la viande”. I supposed this butcher shop closed down because of declining consumption and competition from less expensive meat products. This lean source of protein and iron was from horses bred and killed in France for human consumption. As we know, with globalisation anything can find its way from and to any parts of the world. For example, between the Romanian abattoir and the French supermarket, there are: food brand Findus, food manufacturer Comigel, meat processor Spanghero and a Dutch trader.

As well, with the economic crises some companies look for supply chain opportunities that may include unethical practices. Accordingly, it is vital to impose international food labelling standard that provides a level playing field for food producers and sellers, and for consumers (wherever they are) to get information about their food that is clear (i.e. easy to understand, legible and visible) and not misleading.

There are national and international requirements for foodstuffs to have a list of their ingredients and date of minimum durability. When you open your cupboards, you’ll notice that some of your food products have a “best before” or “best before end” followed by a date. Some of your canned or frozen food have “use by” then the date. The “best before” label is about quality – when the food is expected to retain its maximum condition. The “use by” date is about safety, i.e. to consume it means taking the risk of food poisoning.

Every time, you go shopping, spend time reading the labels of products you buy, especially the ones you purchase for the first time. Pay attention to the list of ingredients (especially additives), durability “best before” or “use by”, place of origin, name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, and instructions for use.

Not all countries have the same legislation concerning food additives. For instance, Australia has banned more than a hundred food additives that are allowed in the UK. Meanwhile, the USA has banned the Australian 952 additive calcium cyclamate or sodium cyclamate (sweetener).

The less risky foodstuffs are the ones we procure locally without need for preservatives, colouring and enhancing chemicals.

Every day, we make decision on what to eat, and should ensure that our choices are informed. In addition to understanding labels and keeping ourselves up to date with toxic food additives, let's do the following: read articles on the subject, participate in public debates, ask questions to our Government, lobby politicians to make sure that legislations are strictly adhered to, and use the media to bring out inappropriateness (from Being Intelligent Gifted)