The Human Library, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, allows people to volunteer as ‘books’ to interact with ‘readers’ in 30-minute conversations. Chit-chat, small talk, surface-level nattering — do you love it or loathe it? Do you often just want to have a one-on-one, real, meaningful and present conversation? One that doesn’t come with expectation, judgement, criticism or distress. To talk to empathise with others, gain understanding of their perspectives and to be social. I fi

Do we ever reach the end of an era? Or are we just beginning a new one? I notice how this may seem entirely meaningless and insignificant when we are going through a global pandemic. And it is. My intention for writing here is not to trivialise the scary and strange times we’re currently in, but to use this as a forum to explore my own emotions to everyday events throughout this crazy ride we call life. Those that raise questions, prompt reflection and influence change. Right now, those emotio

I’ve never really had just one dream. But there’s always been several things that I’ve loved to do: performing, reading, writing, exploring, music, analysing, asking questions. Always. Ever since I was a child. Along the way, as I’ve tried to navigate ‘adulthood’, I’ve often lost sight of these dreams ― and how happy engaging in them makes me. I guess as we get older dreams can simply pale into insignificance amid daily life and the responsibilities of rent, bills, relationships. Along the way

The Covid-19 pandemic is having the greatest detrimental impact on the mental health of women, parents of under-fives and young people aged between 18-to-24-years old, a study by researchers at The University of Manchester, King’s College London and the National Centre for Social Research and the National Centre for Social Research has found. While the country has seen a substantial increase in mental distress, the UK population has not affected all people the same. In April, the UK saw a 33% r

From the catwalk to our high street and ecommerce baskets – fast fashion reflects the industry’s increasing number of fashion collections, rapid turnarounds and often reduced prices. Quality World explores the negative effects of fast fashion and meets the fashion brands that are leading by example, ensuring sustainability is at the heart of their business.

Black Lives Matter: Creating Change Is A Priority For ALL Of US Together with so many people around the world, I have been watching and reading about the protests over the death of George Floyd. The outrage and despair continue as the lives of so many black people have been cruelly taken. Lives including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many more, in a long-standing, abhorrent and shameful history of systemic tragedy. I have struggled with knowing what to write, what to say that can even be

The long-awaited Cumberlege review, which shines a much-needed light on women’s health, suffering and medical treatment, has been published. It reveals how women’s lives have been ruined by three key health scandals: The hormone pregnancy test Primidos, epilepsy and bipolar drug, Sodium valproate, and pelvic mesh implants. Baroness Cumberlege, who led the review, heard how women were shamed into being called “hysterical”. The pain, suffering and enduring agony they experienced was ignored. And

What does success really mean? It’s an odd word, success. Look it up in the dictionary and you’ll find success described as “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose”. Now, factually, I believe that. I agree. But dig a level deeper behind that definition and I see that, actually, there’s a whole load of other meanings, thoughts — an entire system of mistruths — attached to that very word, that I’d assumed were connected. And those perceived demands were crippling me. Here’s what it looks like?

Together with so many people around the world, I have been watching and reading about the protests over the death of George Floyd. The outrage and despair continue as the lives of so many black people have been cruelly taken. Lives including Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many more, in a long-standing, abhorrent and shameful history of systemic tragedy. I have struggled with knowing what to write, what to say that can even begin to describe how saddened and heartbroken I am. Because I kno

After a major change in the law in Sweden two years ago, the country’s rape conviction has risen by 75%, with calls now urging others countries to undertake similar legal reforms. In 2018, the Scandinavian country changed its law on rape to sex without consent. The legal change means that prosecutors no longer have to prove coercion or that the use or threat of violence took place. The conviction rate for rape in Sweden has increased from 190 in 2017 to 333 in 2019. These figures, which indica

Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May) and at a time, when so many of us are struggling and paying even closer attention to our, our loved ones and our community’s mental health, this year’s theme is a universal one — kindness. Championing the power and potential of kindness, the Mental Health Foundation thinks this year’s theme “could be the most important week we’ve hosted”. Not only does kindness have the “singular ability to unlock our shared humanity”, the Organi

Expert tips on how to avoid falling foul of criminals ● Do not respond to messages that ask for your personal or financial details. Fraudsters send these to steal email logins, passwords and banking details. ● If you’re purchasing goods or services from a company or person you have not bought from before, don’t know and trust, research it first. You can ask friends or family for advice before engaging in buying the goods or services. ● If you’re using a loan company you’re unfamiliar wi

Regulators urge consumers, companies and charities to protect themselves against scams and schemes during Covid-19. With governments around the world trying to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, agencies are urging consumers, charities and businesses to be extra-vigilant as fraudsters abuse people’s vulnerabilities. Since the outbreak started, law enforcement and regulatory agencies have seen a rise in the number of scams and schemes that prey on collective fears to manipulate victims into maki

With natural, organic, clean and free-from just some of the terms brands are using to describe their products, accurate labelling is vital to increase consumer confidence

To compete, and appeal to consumer demands, manufacturers are increasingly faced with formulation and production challenges relating to the use of emulsifiers and stabilisers in dairy alternatives. Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe explores the hurdles manufacturers operating in the dairy alternatives sphere face and how suppliers can tackle such formulation and production obstacles around soy, rice and almond drinks

When it comes to the key ingredients that LATAM consumers are demanding, consumers look for “natural ingredients that connect with their needs and concerns”, ​Julian Mellentin, food and beverage consultant at New Nutrition Business, highlighted. Ingredients that relate to key trends, including protein, good carbohydrates or low-carbohydrate alternatives, natural sugars and plant-based ingredients are attractive and prominent choices for food and beverage producers. Sharing insights on current...

Speaking to NutraIngredients-LATAM, Amandine De Santi, Customer Marketing Manager, EMEA, Naturex, talks us through industry demands for nutritious plant-based, takeaway choices. Naturex, which is now part of Givaudan, after the Swiss flavor manufacturer completed the acquisition of Naturex in September 2018, is turning its attention to plant-based nutrition that provides consumers with healthy eating options, on-the-go. In 2018 and 2017, food and beverage launches tracked with an on-the-go lab

Manufacturing its AlaskOmega products, Wiley Companies (previously Organic Technologies) sits in the natural fish oils and omega-3 fish oil concentrates space. The launch marks the company’s first foray into the powder formulation market. Its MSC-certified omega-3 concentrate powder has been designed for use in dietary supplements, food and beverages. Expanding its AlaskOmega range, Wiley Companies unveils its Omega-3 Powder 3221, which provides a minimum of 200mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)...

Aker BioMarine’s chain stretches from sustainable krill harvesting in Antarctic waters through its Montevideo logistics hub, Houston production plant, and all the way to customers. The company, which was established as an independent enterprise in 2006, focuses on the prevention of lifestyle diseases, better resource utilization, industry responsibility, Antarctic ecosystem research and science to help improve human and planetary health.

Consumers in Brazil and Mexico are increasingly reviewing products in the probiotic sector, latest data from insights provider on food and nutrition markets, Lumina Intelligence, revealed. Products in Brazil and Mexico with a health claim either on-pack and/or on their website achieved a total of 1,773 reviews as of January 2020 and saw a 68% increase in reviews since December 2017. While those with no health claim only increased by 24%, Lumina Intelligence’s data stated.