story caption
By Jamie Melbourne-Hayward
We are what we eat. And to set us on the right track the Petone Settlers Museum is currently housing a Future Food road show. Ministry of Research, Science and Technology director of emerging technologies George Slim encourages public to attend and discover the value technology can add to food. ?Knowledge of peoples? genetic makeup means we have instant information on which food people should be eating and the ones they shouldn?t. ?Some people are suited to eat some fats and not others, but because they don?t know they cut out fats all together, that?s not the best thing to do. ?We want to use the technology for people?s health and well being, and the road show is about how people can use that information for food now,? he says. However, he warns it?s up to individuals to eat healthy and there is a divide between people who can afford to use the food technology and those who cannot. ?The health information is expensive, but the road show is set up to show people how to use the information already labelled on food to better their health,? says Mr Slim. He says traceability of food is a major concern in his department and there are calls for food to be more easily traced to its source. ?Better traceability is needed, what happened with the milk powder in China could never happen here ? but it shows the dangers.? He says there is a big push to include information on how food was produced ? free range, modified breeding, organic, and the likes. ?There is a growing value in making sure you produce ethical products.? The road show aims to inform people that their choices about food, both now and in the future are important for themselves and their country. ?The knowledge we have will allow people to personalise their diets and add value to our exported food market, which makes up most of the country?s trade,? says Mr Slim Inside the mobile exhibition visitors are able to interact with digital touch screens, creating a futuristic scenario where visitors are encouraged to challenge and debate developments. The Future Food Roadshow is on at the Petone Settlers Museum?until 6 September, and public are invited to visit free of charge?Tuesday-Friday 12-4pm and Saturday, Sunday 1-5pm. For more information visit morst.govt.nz/futurefood
