Virtual food hall to help teach about nutrition (From Gazette Series)

Virtual food hall to help teach about nutrition

9:00am Tuesday 23rd January 2007 in News By Jamie Dunkley

INTERNET users in Gloucestershire are being given the chance to learn about food and nutrition in a "fun and engaging way".

Members of the public can now visit "Vision" - an online project based on a virtual food hall - to see information about food labelling, health and nutrition.

It also highlights the danger of foods containing high levels of sugar, fat and salt.

The virtual hall contains over 90 different food items within its aisles, including a butchery, fish counter, and delicatessen.

Visitors have the option to explore, read short messages about each item of food or even undertake a challenge entitled "Are you balanced?" which aims to get people thinking about balanced diets.

Roger Marles, head of Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards Service, said: "We hope the hall will raise awareness about food issues such as obesity prevention, health claims, and allergens in food. The site has been designed to be both entertaining and educational, with the intention of providing consumers with the information they need to make more informed choices about the food they eat."