Prescription ice-cream?
Researchers at New Zealand’s University of Auckland are working with dairy giant Fonterra to create a ‘medical dessert’ that combats the side-effects of chemotherapy in cancer patients. The ice-cream, called ReCharge, combines two bio-active milk ingredients to relieve diarrhoea, anemia and lack of appetite in those undergoing chemo. The 200 patients participating in the trials have been diligently consuming 100g tubs of the strawberry-flavoured ice-cream each day. Results of the trials, approved by New Zealand’s Ministry of Health, are expected to be out by the end of the year.
V te$bPdwn of Tauranga. The house replicates the conditions of their farm in Tonga, where they have been growing Madagascar Bourbon vanilla in accordance with organic and sustainable practices since 2002. The company says its production methods complement the Tongan way – “unhurried” – which results in plump shiny pods with a rich, creamy, sweet flavour and poignant aroma. The Tongan production of Heilala Vanilla is already exported to Australia, Singapore and Malaysia and distribution is being finalised in the UK and California. It already has a loyal following in the foodservice sector, with Melbourne’s The European and Cutler & Co, Sydney’s Aqua Dining and Jonah’s among the leading restaurants already including it on their menus.