Canadian dietitians' attitudes toward functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Purpose: A telephone survey was conducted to determine dietitians' views on nutraceuticals and functional foods.

Methods: Using systematic sampling with a random start, 238 names were drawn from the Dietitians of Canada membership. A survey instrument containing mostly open-ended questions and two pages of definitions was pretested and revised.

Consumer food handling recommendations: is thawing of turkey a food safety issue?

While it is important that dietitians and other health or food professionals provide consistent messages to the public about food safety, it is equally important that the information be evidence-based. Conflicting recommendations are evident when reviewing consumer publications from food safety advisory groups and the scientific literature. In addition, caveats are attached to the various food-handling methods.