According to The Independent, an increasing number of retailers are introducing ’apps’ designed to give customers personalised offers. Sainsbury’s launched its app for the iPad and iPhone earlier this month. As well as offers, it allows users to collect Nectar points to use in-store. Other retailers reportedly using apps include Ocado, Waitrose and French chain Carrefour.

Artificial meat grown in vats has been suggested as a solution to feeding the nine billion people expected to be alive in 2050 without destroying the earth, as reported in The Guardian. However, a major academic assessment of future global food supplies, led by the UK government chief scientist John Beddington, suggests that new technologies may not be enough, and people are still likely to go hungry due to a combination of climate change, water shortages and increasing food consumption.

An Oxford University research team is calling for a public programme of supplements to boost the vitamin D-deficient nation, following findings published in the journal Genome Research. A vitamin D boost could help child health development and prevent cancers, diabetes and other ailments.

Something else to stay clear of is hijiki seaweed. The Food Standards Agency has been reminding people not to eat this type of seaweed as it contains high levels of inorganic arsenic, which is known to increase people’s risk of getting cancer.

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