GUIDE TO GREEN LABELLING CLONING • YOGA EXPLAINED FOLIC ACID • CREDIT CRUNCH BUYING ONLINE • BARGAIN FOOD SHELF TESTS: SUPERMINIS • SLR CAMERAS DIGITAL CAMCORDERS 2008 JULY

The Magazine of the Consumers’ Association of Ireland

Ecolabels: we take a closer look CONSUMERS’ ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND (CAI) To independently protect, promote and represent the interests of consumers. The Council is the policy-making body of CAI. Members are elected from within CAI's membership at the Annual General Meeting. The current Editorial & Contents members are:

Chairperson James Doorley July Vice-Chairperson Michael Kilcoyne Hon Secretary 2008 Ann Woods Hon Treasurer Frank Dawe Minutes Secretary Dorothy Gallagher he recent significant price increases in food and understanding and concern about the impact of inflation on Council Members groceries have hit the pockets of many individuals and ordinary consumers. A study by Forfás a number of years Elaine Bolger Tfamilies hard, particularly those on low and fixed ago highlighted the fact that up to 60% of inflation was Peter Dargan incomes. Overall the price of food was up over 8% in the directly attributable to decisions by state agencies under the Richard Donohue last year, with the cost of essentials such as milk, bread, direct or indirect control of Government. Mel Gannon vegetables, cereals and meat increasing by a lot more. The Government needs to send a strong signal to all state Diarmuid MacShane Obviously this is a global phenomenon; food prices have agencies that the price increases they approve or impose John McMahon soared all over the world because of increased demand, bad should be minimal in the current climate. Both Bord Gáis Timothy Murphy weather and the diversion of farm land to grow biofuels. The and ESB have signaled that they will seek large price Enid O’Dowd cost of oil which is required for food production and increases later this year. However, we would call on the Emer O’Siochru distribution has also contributed to the price hikes. Given the regulator - the Commission for Energy Regulation - to resist James Wims scale and rapidity of some of the increases, however, it is such demands, which are not only against the interests of hard not to believe that certain retailers and businesses consumers, but also against the interests of competitiveness have used these developments as a cover to take increased and jobs in our economy. profits at the expense of consumers. While some of the global factors are beyond the power of the Irish Government to address, they could be doing a lot more. There is a perception that there is a lack of James Doorley Chairperson

STAFF

Chief Executive OUR REPORTS CONSUMER CHOICE www.consumerassociation.ie Dermott Jewell Reports in Consumer Choice are based on market Consumer Choice is published monthly by the Reception Acting Editor research, laboratory tests or user surveys, all of Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) Limited, tel (01) 497 8600 ext 20 Margaret Brady which are independently and scientifically a wholly independent, non-government, Advice / Information Service Editor conducted. Free goods are never accepted for non-profit making body. CAI was founded in tel (01) 497 8600 ext 23 Kieran Doherty testing – all samples are purchased. 1966 to protect and promote the interests of Research team The reports are produced in the main by the consumers of goods and services, and to PUBLISHED MATERIAL Mark Channing our own Editorial staff. Some material is enhance the quality of life for consumers. CAI is No part of this publication may be reproduced, Jenny Harrow occasionally drawn from other foreign registered with charitable status: CHY 8559. stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any Aisling Murtagh independent consumer magazines. Advertising is not accepted for publication. form without the prior permission of the Editor. It Assistant to the Because Consumer Choice carries no Consumer Choice is available on a subscription may not be used for any form of advertising, Chief Executive commercial advertising it is not swayed by basis only. An administration charge will apply sales promotion or publicity. Judy Dunne bias or influence and can point out advantages to cancellations. To subscribe please write to: © Consumers’ Association of Ireland 2008 Subscription Officer and flaws in goods and services that other ISSN 0790-486X Mairead Noonan magazines may not be able to do. Consumer Choice Secretarial Reports on any article relate only to the Subscription Department Editing and Art Direction by Nora Grimes articles or goods mentioned, and not to any 43–44 Chelmsford Road Margaret Brady and Dermott Jewell Contributors other article of the same or similar description. Ranelagh Typeset, make up and production by Nahia Nebra We do not necessarily price or report on all Dublin 6 Swerve Jeff Smith brands or models within the class, and the tel (01) 497 8811 Printed by exclusion of any brand or model should not be fax (01) 497 8601 Baird’s Printing Group, Belfast / Dublin taken as a reflection on it. email [email protected] Cover www.thecai.ie iStockPhoto

242 consumer choice JULY 2008 EDITORIAL 253 245 255 276 268 280 News briefs 244 Cloning 245 Is it really all the same? COMING SOON

Green labelling guide 248 Some of the reports We guide you through the maze of claims and standards we plan for you: Cracking the crunch 253 A-Z of cosmetics How to survive the credit crisis Baggage costs Cross-border pricing Yoga explained 255 Dishwashers All you need to know before choosing a class Euro NCAP car safety Food fortification Folic acid and the prevention of NTDs 258 Identity theft Are you getting what you need? Meat origin Mp3 and Mp4 players Shopping online 261 Music downloads Greater choice, better value - but do you know your rights? Superfoods Switching mortgages Super superminis 264 Tooth enamel Best small cars for city drivers Digital camcorders 268 Choice Buys for amateur film-makers The big shots 272 We test the best bridge and SLR cameras Currents 276 A WEEE bit better... Fizzy drinks Cheque-out time Magnet warnings Financial complaints Shopping for September INDEX Shelf life 278 Indexes are printed in the April, July, How much of a bargain is the bargain food shelf? October and December issues of Consumer Choice. Turn to p299 in Index 279 this issue for the complete index of Reports from January to June 2008 reports from January to What am I to do? 280 June 2008. Around the house

CONTENTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 243 News briefs The latest information on the world of the consumer Recalling Safety The CAI has long been a Member of ANEC - the European consumer voice in Bangers and Cash standardisation, which recently held its General Assembly (GA). Discussions at The May Complaints Bulletin from the Advertising Standards Authority for the GA included reference to the EU Ireland (ASAI) cited the detail of an upheld complaint that shows just how Rapid Alert System (RAPEX), which has seriously consumers continue to be misled in Ireland in 2008. The advert stated caused the number of dangerous “Pimp my Ride. It’s Back, Bigger & Better!!!” It gave details of when and where products removed from the EU market the show was to be held and the admission costs (Adults €20, no charge for to rise by 53% from 1,051 in 2006 to children under 10). Among the attractions on offer were “Food & Refreshments. 1605 in 2007. The toy sector, Bouncing Castle. Children’s Slide” and a chance to “Meet Pimp My Ride Girls”. unsurprisingly, attracted most The complainant was charged €20 for 2 children under 10. There were notifications, with electrical goods, approximately 15 cars on show. There was no bouncing castle and no children’s motor vehicles and cosmetics also slide. An event described as ‘The Hulk Monster Truck Show’ consisted of one featuring prominently. More than half of Monster Truck that was parked and never moved. Furthermore (and the final all risky products found (700 insult), there were no ‘Pimp My Ride’ girls. Notably, there was no response notifications) originated in China. from the advertisers. Exhausted, I imagine! Obviously, the high number of products imported into the EU from China and the intensified focus of market surveillance authorities on Chinese Driving a Hard Bargain products has an impact here. As a In an increasingly energy-conscious society, it is no surprise that computer manufacturers means of improving monitoring are looking at ways and means of producing smaller and more efficient PC components. A capabilities, EU Consumer specific current focus is on hard drives. Generally, a desktop PC contains, or would be Commissioner Kuneva has set out plans presumed to contain, a 3.5-inch hard drive. But that presumption is changing as 2.5-inch for major initiatives in 2008, including hard drives have become popular for servers and business hard drives. They have been an upgrading of the current EU-China found to achieve high rotations per minute of 10,000 or 15,000 rpm and better Memorandum of Understanding and an performance while generating less heat. Now that capacity is no longer an issue - even EU-US-China trilateral product safety 500GB drives are available - the push toward smaller design- and energy-conscious systems summit to be held in November 2008. is leading manufacturers to include 2.5-inch drives in desktops. Of course, cost is still an issue, and since 3.5-inch drives offer a better price and capacity value ratio they will, for Free! the immediate future at any rate, remain the affordable norm for most consumers. Finally, I would like to congratulate all of our school members who are now WHAT’S IN - A VOTE enjoying well earned term and post- exam holidays. In a world gone madly In Europe, food additives are regulated by several different laws, but four new regulations expensive I direct you to the SpiralFrog aim to harmonise authorisation and safety assessment procedures for the internal market. site which provides legally free music The first regulation sets out an EU-level ‘common authorisation procedure’ for additives, and video downloads. This New York flavourings and enzymes. The other three deal in detail with each of these categories. Positive based company are signing a new lists of authorised products will be compiled, and only products approved on the lists will licensing deal with EMI which will see be allowed for use in food and drinks. The European Commission will manage the lists of them offering free content from artists approved products, subject to risk assessments carried out by the European Food Safety such as Keith Urban and Coldplay. Authority (EFSA). EFSA is also currently drawing up guidelines for the submission of data Enjoy your summer! on enzymes, to be published within six months of the adoption of the new rules. Note that the enzyme market is expected to be worth €850m by 2011. The report on enzymes, drafted News by by MEP Avril Doyle, was adopted by the Environment Committee at the second reading vote Dermott Jewell cc on 5 May, and the plenary vote on the new regulations is expected this month.

244 consumer choice JULY 2008 NEWS FOOD

Animal cloning The future of how food is produced may involve controversial processes such as cloning genetically superior animals – is this the way forward or a step too far?

A discussion on cloning often includes a long as this. She didn’t enjoy the health Some have suggested that a clone’s body mention of Dolly the sheep. Why would of the average ewe either. She suffered starts off at the age of the animal they are we diverge: the issues often centre from arthritis and a lung disease, which cloned from. This view seems to be around those that Dolly’s life highlights. more commonly occurs in older animals. supported by Dolly’s case, as sheep can After many failed attempts, Dolly was Dolly did not die of natural causes, but live to age twelve and Dolly died aged six. the first animal successfully cloned from was put to sleep because of her an adult cell. Dolly was cloned in 1996 deteriorating state of health. Dolly’s Copy–cat, calf, pig…and banana? and died in 2003. She has now found her ‘parent’ was aged six when the cells were There has been much development in AT A GLANCE final resting place as a stuffed animal on taken from her and used to make Dolly. cloning technology since Dolly’s debut. display at the National Museum of Clones, strictly speaking, don’t have Other animals have since been cloned, Animal welfare. Scotland, Edinburgh, close to her parents as they are not created by normal such as cattle, pigs and goats. Although birthplace at the Roslin Institute, also in sexual reproduction, which requires a clones have been successfully bred, this Food safety. Scotland. Dolly lived a short life of six female egg and a male sperm. Clones are does not mean the technology is years. The average sheep can live twice as essentially a copy of an adult animal. without fault. Clones.

FOOD JULY 2008 consumer choice 245 Useful contacts UNANSWERED CLONING ISSUES embryo and is known as somatic cell nucleus transfer. The embryo is then Food Safety Authority There are many unanswered questions animals. Questions exist over the ability of placed in a surrogate mother where it of Ireland and issues when it comes to cloning. meat or milk from cloned animals to be develops as a normal pregnancy should. Abbey Court We highlight a few here: distinguished from other food on the Problems often occur with clones at this Lower Abbey Street market. There is currently no reliable test stage where the foetus develops too Dublin 1 Relatives of clones that can distinguish between them, but Advice 1890 336 677 rapidly and is more frequently aborted tel (01) 817 1300 If the parent of an animal is a clone, how suggestions have been made that a similar than in sexual reproduction. fax (01) 817 1301 is the offspring classified - conventional, test identifying GMOs could be used to Animal welfare concerns don’t just email [email protected] clone or in some other way? distinguish food that is genetically arise with the clone, but also its www.fsai.ie identical. surrogate mother. Clones can be up to More research needed 25% heavier than a normal foetus, It seems contradictory to conclude, based Benefit – risk analysis which can lead to birthing difficulties Useful websites on limited available data, that something is Cloning’s potential benefit is clear, but the requiring a caesarean section. safe. The characteristics of animal produce actual benefit is not. Do regulators need to European Food Safety (e.g. meat, milk, eggs) from clones and the apply the precautionary principle? Opinions Authority long term implications of their Cloning recently emerged on the www.efsa.europa.eu consumption must be investigated. EFSA’s Communication of new technology political agenda in Europe and the US. European Group on draft opinion states that neither clones nor Experts have expertise. But what is also The US Food and Drug Administration Ethics in Science and their progeny have yet been studied for crucial is effective communication of their (FDA, see Useful websites) conducted a New Technologies their full natural life. knowledge. Polar debates are a feature of risk assessment of cloning reviewing www.ec.europa.eu/ discussions on new technologies. The scientific research. The FDA has stated european_group_ethics Traceability is vital consumer needs honest and clear that food from cloned animals is no The same traceability rules should apply to information to construct informed opinions different than food from conventionally Food Standards clones that apply for conventionally bred and make informed choices. bred animals. It assessed evidence in Agency relation to cattle, pigs and goats, but www.food.gov.uk not sheep as insufficient research was Some organisms naturally reproduce available to assess this species. The US Food and Drug Administration by asexual reproduction, such as the “Eurobarometer FDA concluded that milk and meat www.fda.gov/cvm/ starfish and some bacteria and fungi. The from cloned animals and their cloning.htm product of asexual reproduction has the surveys in 1996 and offspring are as safe to eat as food same genetic make-up as the parent and from conventionally bred animals. has been compared with clones. Identical 1999 have shown Clones are not expected to be used for twins also have the same genetic make- food themselves, but the offspring of up. But twins occur naturally in sexual that many cloned animals reproduced in the reproduction when the egg splits soon normal way, through sexual after it is fertilised. The end product of Europeans see reproduction. Such produce is not cloning has an identical genetic make-up expected to enter the US market for two in the same way identical twins or other cloning as risky or three years. organisms that reproduce by asexual The European Commission has asked reproduction can have, but the process is and morally the European Food Safety Authority very different. (EFSA, see Useful websites) and the When we take a cutting from a plant unacceptable.” European Group on Ethics in Science and and grow another one from it, the New Technologies (EGE, see Useful genetic make-up is the same, so the applied in animals and plants. If a plant websites) to issue advice to the plant is essentially a clone. Bananas and produced from a clone develops Commission on animal cloning. EFSA is potatoes are commonly produced in significant abnormality it does not currently drafting an opinion on the this way. It can take up to 30 years to suffer in the same way an animal would. topic, based on available scientific grow a banana from seed, which is why evidence. Its Scientific Committee is to they are often grown from plant Animal health and welfare consider the second draft opinion in July. cuttings. The same for potatoes, they are Animal welfare groups, such as The current draft opinion recognises commonly grown from ‘seed’ potatoes, Compassion in World Farming, have there is limited data and uncertainties but not potato seeds. concerns about cloning. The health of exist. It also recognises there are health This looks like a nice comparison that clones is often less than that of and welfare issues. But currently, the justifies the extension of cloning from conventionally bred animals and they general conclusion is that food from the plant to animal kingdom. But plants often live shorter lives. Clones have clones or their offspring are unlikely to and animals are a different class of been found to have abnormalities in the introduce new food safety issues. organism that makes human liver, brain and immune system. The The EFSA draft opinion is based on interference in their reproductive cloning process involves placing the food safety from a scientific perspective. It processes throw up very different issues. nucleus of an adult animal cell into an does not evaluate if cloning is beneficial Report by The same problems and ethical unfertilised egg from which the nucleus or cannot evaluate moral or ethical issues Aisling Murtagh cc dilemmas do not arise when cloning is has been removed. This forms an as it is a scientific body. This is the

246 consumer choice JULY 2008 FOOD responsibility of the EGE, which has engineering changes the genetic makeup Overall, there is no law in Europe on issued its opinion on the topic. of the animal by altering the DNA. cloning, which does in one sense mean The EGE doubts if animal cloning is Cloning copies the genetic makeup to that there is nothing to stop clones from ethically justified based on the level of produce another organism that is the entering our food supply. But the issue is suffering and health problems with same as the original, but does not alter on Europe’s agenda. Denmark is the only animal clones. It does not see genes. But this does not mean that both EU country that has banned animal convincing arguments to justify the technologies could not be applied in cloning (except in specific circumstances production of food from clones and tandem in the future. How does a where it is beneficial)-no other member their offspring. Recommendations are cloned GM steak sound? The real state has taken a strong position either way. also made in case food from clones is apprehension comes when we think of The issue also creates new introduced to Europe in the future. its application in humans – but this is considerations when it comes to trade. If the stuff of science fiction. the EU bans cloning, how will it restrict Why clone? food with links to this origin entering What benefits does cloning bring that Informing consumers the EU from the US? Imports to the EU conventional breeding cannot? Cloning The US FDA does not see food from can only be restricted if they are animals could reproduce breeds that cloned animals as different to food from considered unsafe for consumption or have greater resistance to disease. The conventional animals. Therefore, it for the environment. best animals selected for their positive doesn’t see the need for labelling. traits could be consistently reproduced In the EU, food derived from cloned What do consumers think? with top quality meat and milk the animals would currently fall under the On the GM issue, consumer polls have outcome. Cows have been bred, using novel food regulation as there is no suggested most consumers don’t want to conventional techniques, with specific legislation in this area. This eat GM food. Consumer attitudes on preference for animals that produce regulation governs the introduction of a cloning have not been investigated to any more milk. Cloning takes this idea a food, ingredient, or a novel production great degree. There has been little public little further. Conventional breeding for process that does not have a history of debate on how the people really perceive improved traits is more uncertain and use in the EU. Authorisation of a novel cloning. The research that does exist has takes longer to perfect than cloning for food involves a risk assessment. Special found a negative attitude. Eurobarometer similar traits. Cloning can achieve more labelling requirements are sometimes surveys in 1996 and 1999 have shown that quickly what conventional breeding required if a novel food is approved, but many Europeans see cloning as risky and aims to do. However, cloning is a this is on a case by case basis. morally unacceptable. completely different process that brings Labelling should not mislead The UK Food Standards Agency other accompanying problems and the consumers as to the production, published research in June 2008 benefits of cloning are still very composition, nutritional value or investigating the UK public’s views on much at the ‘potential’ stage. characteristics of the food. GM food must cloning. The researchers found that EGE’s opinion clearly states there are be labelled. It’s unclear if current knowledge and understanding of cloning health and welfare issues with clones. regulation will require food derived from varied widely, and that many participants EFSA also acknowledges this. It does not cloned animals to be distinguished by had animal welfare, ethical and food seem that this technology has been additional labelling requirements. There safety concerns. In the context of current perfected and getting it right is likely to are a number of ways food with some animal breeding practices, it was felt that result in mistakes, creating animals with link to cloned animals can enter the food cloning took a quantum leap from: health problems and deformities in the supply. The food can come directly from a ‘giving nature a helping hand’ to process. The FDA assessment of cloning cloned animal, but this is unlikely as ‘interfering with nature’. Finding any acknowledges that there are animal cloning is an expensive process. Their benefits was a struggle and it was welfare issues, but says the technology offspring are the likely sources, according questioned whether cloning would bring appears to be improving. However, this to the FDA. This has implications for the any real advantages for the consumer. doesn’t suggest the technology has been approval of foods from clones and their The opinions of the Irish public have not mastered. Animals with unexpected regulation. The offspring of a clone may been surveyed, and similar research in problems are not the outcome of a not be seen as a novel food. Ireland is not planned. technology that can produce consistently better quality animal products. Is it acceptable to experiment until the technology is perfected? While choice comment we may not like to face facts, when it comes to food production, animals are Clones are genetically identical organisms and have been described as a copy of the a commodity. But does this technology original animal the cloned cells were taken from. Simplifying the description of cloning take our manipulation of animals for to the extent that it is called a copy misses vital differences that aid our understanding human benefit that bit too far? of the process. Cloning is a novel process in animal reproduction that raises new ethical issues. Consumers should be informed if food is derived from cloned animals, regardless What’s next: GM clones? of the fact that it is considered safe and equivalent to food derived from conventional Cloning can be associated with genetic breeding. If cloning does become a reality, labelling and traceability are vital to protect engineering, but it is a different the consumer’s right to choice. This is the very least that consumers deserve, and the technological process. Genetic CAI demands that it be prioritised for the safety and consideration of all consumers.

FOOD JULY 2008 consumer choice 247 ENVIRONMENT

Green labelling guide It’s not easy for consumers to make green choices - being an environmentally conscious consumer can be complicated by the range of environmental claims found on products. We guide consumers through the green labelling maze.

With climate change a pivotal challenge leaves 48% confused. made, you can complain to the ASAI facing us, the environment has moved (see Useful websites). to centre stage. Green labels highlight Green claims The International Standards products’ reduced environmental Products with green claims, from cars Organisation (ISO) has developed a impact. Some apply to specific to washing powder, have increased in standard for self-declared environmental products, such as fish, others relate to a recent years. If a product makes a claims (ISO 14021:1999 (E)). It states specific benefit, such as energy green claim and there is no green label that vague and non-specific claims must efficiency, while others generally signify how can the consumer be assured the not be made, the term ‘sustainable’ must a reduced environmental impact. The claim is valid? There are no clear not be used as it lacks clarity, and claims AT A GLANCE consumer is faced with not only guarantees – but a few factors can must be substantiated and not prone to understanding why the product is provide some assurance. misinterpretation. But ISO standards are environmentally friendly, but must also The Advertising Standards Authority voluntary. It is optional for national Environmental learn to differentiate between the many of Ireland’s (ASAI) code for authorities to adopt them. impacts. types of labels. environmental claims states they must In 1999, a voluntary code of practice Greenwash. A 2008 Eurobarometer survey found be supported by evidence, pseudo- for green claims, based on the ISO that 52% of consumers felt they would scientific terms are not permitted and standard, was introduced in the UK. Energy recognise a genuinely environmentally symbols should not mislead. If you feel There is no equivalent in Ireland. consumption. friendly product by its label, but that still an unsubstantiated claim has been However, the 2007 Consumer

248 consumer choice JULY 2008 ENVIRONMENT inefficient cars among Europe’s best Useful contacts selling automotive manufacturers and Shell for harming environments and Sustainable Energy Ireland local communities close to its refineries Glasnevin around the world. Dublin 9 tel (01) 836 9080 Mean is the new green fax (01) 837 2848 Thrift is a great saver, for the environment Consumer Queries and wallet. Is being a truly environmental 1850 376 666 consumer really a simple thing? Some www.sei.ie suggest that green consumption is an oxymoron - the best way to be a green ENFO consumer is not to consume at all. On 17 St. Andrew Street ‘Buy Nothing Day’ (see Useful websites) Dublin 2 tel (01) 888 2001 consumers are challenged to put a lock on 1890 200 191 their wallets, just for one day. This year it’s email [email protected] scheduled for Saturday, November 29th. www.enfo.ie Assessing products and our consumption patterns under a few basic Department of the criteria can also help us to be a more Environment, Heritage environmentally conscious consumer. and Local Government • Where products are available without 1890 20 20 21 packaging, choose them. tel (01) 888 2000 • If products are packaged, where www.environ.ie available, choose paper and cardboard. National Standards They are easier to recycle than plastics. Authority of Ireland • Since the plastic bag levy was (NSAI) introduced, paper bags are often 1 Swift Square offered in shops. Although the shop Santry assistant may swiftly place your item in Dublin 9 a bag, don’t just accept bags – only if tel (01) 807 3000 you really need them. email [email protected] • Make a preference for products of Irish www.nsai.ie origin over imported – this will reduce the amount of carbon embedded in The National Consumer the product. Agency (NCA) 4 Harcourt Road Protection Act prohibits misleading ‘Greening the economy’. Friends of the • Before you buy, ask yourself if you will Dublin 2 commercial practices such as the Earth has suggested that the companies make good use of the product or if you 1850 432 432 provision of false information regarding involved are anything but green: could repair an existing item. www.consumerconnect.ie the nature of the product or its main “instead of spending millions on PR • Being green is also a matter of how you characteristics. Misleading green claims campaigns designed to paint use a product. Be economical. can be reported to the National themselves green, the companies • Take as many steps to reduce energy Consumer Agency (see Useful contacts). should make real efforts to improve consumption at home e.g. don’t leave their environmental performance.” appliances on stand-by, only boil the Green business Among the companies attending, amount of water you will use. Some companies set environmental Friends of the Earth has criticised Volvo For more tips contact Sustainable Energy standards as part of their business practice and BMW for producing the most fuel Ireland (see Useful contacts). and quoting these standards is often part of their marketing strategy. For example, Ecopact is an environmental code of practice for Irish aquaculture companies choice comment and traders. Marks & Spencer has a 100 point sustainable retailing plan. While Consumers don’t need to get too caught up in the specifics of every label. But still, it’s nice to know what we are companies can legitimately make attempts buying into. Green labels do help consumers make greener consumption choices – but labels don’t tell the full to be more environmental, some have story. Being a really green consumer is a much bigger issue. Environmental consumption is as much about how we received criticism. consume as what we consume. Products will always have some environmental impact, and all we can do is aim to Greenwashing misleads consumers reduce this. If we consume a greater proportion of green products, whether certified or not, it will add up to us about the extent of corporate causing less environmental damage. If we are going to prioritise, it probably makes more sense to invest in energy environmental practice, which can efficient household appliances, which can be pricey but should save you money in the long run, rather than worry apply to products and/or their too much about our smaller consumption choices. Too often, greener household products and foods are expensive. environmental policies. This years Consumers face a trade-off between the environment and their budget, and the sooner commentators acknowledge European Business Summit was called this reality, the better it will be for us all.

ENVIRONMENT JULY 2008 consumer choice 249 Useful websites RECYCLING

FOOD Consumers will often see a circle made up Glass and cans often have a triangular Polyethylene terepthalate Bord Iascaigh Mhara www.bim.ie of three arrows on cardboard packaging. symbol with a responsible recycler putting (PET) e.g. soft drink, water This is a common recycling symbol known the item in a bottle bank, which aims to bottles Marine Stewardship as the mobius loop. Sometimes companies remind us to recycle. Bottle banks are Council use it with a percentage inside the loop, widely available. www.msc.org which indicates the amount of packaging High density polyethylene derived from recycled materials. (HDPE) e.g. milk, shampoo Fairtrade bottles www.fairtrade.ie www.fairtrade.net

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) International Fairtrade e.g. cooking oil bottles Organisation www.ifat.org There are many types of plastic packaging. The Green Dot is a pan-European symbol It’s hard to tell one type from another. An Organic comprising two arrows inside a circle. It may internationally recognised voluntary marking Low density polyethylene www.iofga.org not be green; this depends on the packaging, can be used to identify the different types of (LDPE) – e.g. plastic bags, www.organic-trust.org but the format does not differ. The symbol plastics. It is a triangular symbol and the bin liners, cling film www.soilassociation.org should indicate that the packaging supplier numbers 1 to 7 inside the triangle indicate makes a financial contribution to recycling the type of plastic. LEAF services. Repak regulates its use in Ireland, In the Dublin region, plastic bottles are Polypropylene (PP) e.g. www.leafmarque.com but has said that not all manufacturers’ now accepted in most green bins. To be more margarine tubs products that currently use the symbol have specific this means plastics of type one, two ENERGY paid their contribution. If a Repak member, and three. Other plastic packaging is not Power of One www.powerofone.ie they will have made their contribution (see accepted in the green bin, but private waste Polystyrene (PS) e.g. take away Useful websites). collectors may accept other types. Many coffee cups, foam food trays, Energy Saving recycling services in other parts of the yogurt pots, plastic cutlery Recommended country accept plastics. If in doubt, contact www.energysavingtrust. your service provider. Some recycling centres org.uk/energy_saving_ also accept mixed plastics, usually types one, Miscellaneous others and products two and three. plastics with a mixture of types.

Energy Star www.eu-energystar.org TIMBER PRODUCTS RECYCLING Repak www.repak.ie Wood and paper products can feature for the rights of indigenous people. Standards products. But wood that is not certified symbols that indicate they come from a also provide strong incentives to local people must comply with the FSC controlled wood Green Dot responsibly managed source. to sustain forest resources and adhere to long standard or its standard for re-used wood www.greendot.ie The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) term management plans. materials. sets high standards for forest Another scheme that certifies timber Many non-governmental environmental Race against waste management. The standards include products is the Programme for Endorsement of organisations do not support PEFC. The FSC www.raceagainstwaste. environmental, social and economic Forest Certification schemes (PEFC). It has scheme is supported by Greenpeace and com principles. Social criteria include respect environmental sustainability standards, and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF). social and labour criteria. Dublin Waste However, each scheme has its critics. www.dublinwaste.ie PEFC has been criticised for not prohibiting TIMBER the use of GMOs and endorsing weak Forest Stewardship standards. It has now introduced another Council layer of governance that reviews forests www.fsc.org recommended to be endorsed. www.fsc-uk.org An FSC founder suggested in Ethical Consumer magazine that its mixed sources PEFC policy (products with a mix of FSC certified www.pefc.org timber and wood from other sources) is misleading saying licences have been given to unsuitable forestry operations. FSC certified Report by wood can be as low as 10% in mixed Aisling Murtagh cc

250 consumer choice JULY 2008 ENVIRONMENT Useful websites FOOD (contd.)

CARBON Many green labelling schemes go beyond Ireland could provide assurance for World Seafood Congress, the MSC Carbon Trust (UK) strictly environmental criteria. Certification environmentally concerned food consumers highlighted that its certified fisheries are www.carbonlabel.co.uk can have ethical and social requirements that their food is produced with regard for mostly in the developed world and it needs in addition to green credentials. environmental standards, without forcing them to extend to developing countries. A report Change – Ireland’s plan Schemes such as Organic and Fairtrade down the organic route, which can be from the International Food Policy Research of action on climate certification can be classified as green expensive. Centre suggested that by 2020 the change labelling. For more on details see ‘Organic developing world is likely to produce 79% of www.change.ie food’, Consumer Choice, June 2008, p216 the world’s fish. Such predictions make and ‘Fairtrade’, Consumer Choice, March MSC involvement in the developing world FOOTPRINT 2008, p101. more crucial. CALCULATORS www.carboncalc.repak.ie The Linking Environment and Farming /repak_calculator.php (LEAF) scheme aims to provide affordable www.mycarbonfootprint.eu food produced to specific environmental www.footprint.wwf.org.uk farming standards, such as crop rotation, hedgerow maintenance and only essential The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ECO-LABEL use of herbicides and pesticides. The operates an internationally recognised ecolabel European Eco-Label general approach taken is called for sustainable fisheries. Exploitation of a www.eco-label.com ‘Integrated Farm Management’, which fishery must not lead to overfishing if MSC www.ecolabel-tourism.eu combines traditional farming methods with certified. If fishing where stocks have been modern technology. LEAF operates in the depleted, fishing practice must aid recovery of Bord Iascaigh Mhara has developed an GENERAL UK and the symbol is not commonly seen the species. Operations must not harm the Irish Quality Eco-standard for aquaculture, Buy Nothing Day www.buynothingday. on produce in Ireland. ecosystem on which the fishery depends. Its which is internationally accredited to co.uk Many Irish farmers participate in the standard is consistent with the United Nations ISO65/EN45011. Producers must operate an

Rural Environmental Protection Scheme Food and Agriculture Organisation guidelines environmental management system to Advertising Standards (REPS), which has regard for similar for ecolabelling of fish and fishery products facilitate the continuing improvement of Authority of Ireland standards. But produce is not differentiated from marine capture. their environmental performance and reduce www.asai.ie in the market. An equivalent scheme in The logo can appear on fish, fish products the impact of the aquaculture site on the and in restaurants using MSC fish. Last year surrounding area. Mandatory requirements Greenbox-Ireland’s Birds Eye launched fish fingers sourced from include: efficient use of feed from a Ecotourism Destination Alaskan MSC certified fisheries. As part of the sustainable source in salmon production, www.greenbox.ie Marks & Spencer sustainable retailing plan it use of grey floats to reduce the visual will source all of their fish from MSC fisheries impact in salmon culture, adoption of a by 2012. Some Young’s seafood products can waste management policy focusing on bear the MSC label. Lidl also carries a range of reduction, reuse and recycle, and use of MSC certified products. renewable energy for land-based facilities. It is thought that 50% of traded seafood The scheme currently applies to rope grown comes from the developing world. At the 2007 mussels and salmon production.

ECOLABELS

The European Ecolabel is a comprehensive green label launched on the European Ecolabel online catalogue, the Green Store (see in 1992. Also simply known as ‘the Flower’, the symbol is very Useful websites). The range includes paper, cleaning products, European looking (from an administrative and not an ecological televisions, textiles, hard floor covering, indoor paints, varnish, viewpoint!), with stars as leaves and a Euro sign at its centre. It lightbulbs and tourist accommodation. Some are not has been applied to 26 product groups ranging from cleaning recognisable brands so they may be difficult to source in Ireland. products and household appliances to paper and paint. Campsite Of all the categories, tourist accommodation has received and tourist accommodation services can also be awarded the the greatest number of ecolabel awards. In Ireland, an Flower but food, drink and medicines cannot. ecotourism initiative, the Greenbox (see Useful websites) holds The Flower is awarded based on a life-cycle assessment. the Flower. The products environmental impact on air, water, soil and The Ecolabel scheme is currently being revised. Increased human health, from its production, packaging, distribution, marketing and promotion of the label is being considered. The use and disposal are analysed. The symbol also guarantees scheme has not been widely adopted and uptake varies the product is at least as efficient and or of comparable between member states. Italy has gained 144 awards, while quality to standard products. Ireland only has 11. A lack of marketing has been one factor A list of ecolabelled products available in Ireland can be found attributed to its lack of success in some member states.

ENVIRONMENT JULY 2008 consumer choice 251 ENERGY

Most green labels are voluntary. But the part of the revision of the energy European energy label is compulsory on labelling scheme. The EU energy labelling all new fridges, freezers, washing format could make efficiency information machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, clearer. electric ovens, and even light bulbs and Energy saving recommended is an lamps. Products are rated from A to G, initiative by the UK Energy Saving Trust with A being the most energy efficient (see Useful websites for a list of and G the least. Some appliances are appliances and stockists). Products with given an A+ or A++ rating, indicating the logo must be above the European they exceed the requirement for an A energy label’s A rating. It can be found rating. A+ exceeds the requirement by on products that are not required to have 25% and A++ by up to 60%. The higher While not a compulsory requirement, some the European energy label. It’s intended the appliance’s energy efficiency, the appliances have a noise rating - a lower as a clear signal for the consumer cheaper it will run as it will use less number indicates a quieter appliance. Light indicating a product is energy efficient. electricity. bulbs must also show their average lifespan in At work, we often leave printers and hours. photocopiers turned on all day, even This labelling scheme is currently being though we only use them every now and revised. It has been criticised for its focus on again. The Energy star logo is used on energy efficiency over product performance. office equipment when the appliance’s Last year, the UK National Consumer energy consumption is below an agreed Council surveyed energy efficiency labelling level on standby. It can also apply to PCs on electronic goods (such as TVs, hi-fis and and home office equipment. DVD players). These are not required to display the EU energy label. Of the 350 surveyed, only one had an energy label stating ‘low power consumption’. The revision of the European energy label is to consider extending the scheme to include other appliances, such as electronics and heating appliances. The Consumer Council research does suggest that where the scheme is not compulsory, it does not always appear, so this seems a necessary change. Since 2001, all new cars in the EU must display a label at the point of sale detailing the vehicle’s fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Cars are also being considered as

CARBON

This is a new type of environmental carbon labelling shows the product’s products in the UK, a 250ml glass of label not yet common in the Irish carbon emissions from source to fresh orange juice can result in 360g of market. Tesco have developed a carbon disposal. It’s the same idea as a carbon CO2 and a 250g serving of King Edward labelling scheme for some of its own footprint (see Useful websites), but for a potatoes produces 160g. But carbon brand products in the UK, but the product rather than a person. emissions from Irish foods will differ. scheme cannot be transferred to Ireland Consumers can then choose products The UK Consumer Council have stated as emissions differ. For example, with smaller footprints. Just to illustrate, that it supports supermarkets in their electricity can be generated by nuclear a flight from Berlin to Budapest causes efforts to make greener choices easier. power in the UK, which is not the case 200 to 250kg of CO2 emissions per However, they are yet to be convinced of in Ireland. Nuclear power has negligible person, while a litre of petrol results in the merits of carbon labelling. We agree. emissions, whereas Ireland’s electricity 2.36kg of CO2 . Carbon labels are only really meaningful generation creates more CO2 . Food seems to cause fewer CO2 when products are compared, so if we Rather than measuring the emissions – but it all adds up. According don’t know the carbon content of every environmental impact of a product, to the UK Carbon Trust label on Tesco product they cannot be evaluated.

252 consumer choice JULY 2008 ENVIRONMENT FINANCE

Cracking the crunch

As the credit crunch has spread, its effects are being felt beyond the financial sector. Now consumers need to know how to loosen its grip around them.

If you had asked somebody 12 months out huge mortgages they could never have been tightened up which means that ago if they had ever heard of a credit afford. In particular, sub-prime lenders more consumers are having their crunch you would probably have got no – those lenders who lend to people with mortgage and credit card applications more than a puzzled expression. Today, compromised credit histories – have rejected. In extreme cases, consumers may it is difficult to open the newspaper suffered massive defaults on their loans. find themselves getting into financial without seeing worried editorials As a result, obtaining credit has become difficulty, which requires them to take containing the now well-worn phrase. more expensive, more difficult and in action to deal with their debt. However, However, although people will have some cases has been withdrawn there are steps consumers can take to now heard of it, many still have little altogether. As access to credit allows insulate themselves from the effects of the understanding of what the credit crunch people and businesses to invest and credit crunch. is, how it affects them and what they engage in entrepreneurial activity, so the can do to survive it. credit crunch is causing a severe Look after your credit rating reduction in the level of economic If you have ever had a credit agreement – What is it? growth, which may even lead to a whether it was a mortgage, personal A credit crunch is a sudden reduction in recession. loan, leasing contract or hire-purchase AT A GLANCE the availability of loans or a sudden agreement – it is likely to be referenced increase in the cost of obtaining loans Its impact on consumers as part of what is known as your credit The credit crunch. from financial institutions. The current For the average consumer, the impact of rating. Your credit rating serves as a crisis has its roots in the US mortgage the credit crunch can translate into record of your dealings with a financial Your credit rating. market where cheap money and soaring higher mortgage and credit card institution and may be passed on to house prices resulted in people taking repayments. Also lending restrictions other financial institutions in order for Debt difficulties.

FINANCE JULY 2008 consumer choice 253 them to determine whether or not you mortgage term. Take the example of a Income protection insurance pays Useful contacts are deemed credit-worthy. In the current €200,000 mortgage at a typical rate of out a regular income as long as the credit crisis it is vital that you become 5.7% over a 25 year term. Paying an individual suffers a loss of earned Irish Credit Bureau aware of the status of your credit rating. extra €75 per month extra would result income and is deemed unfit to return ICB House € Newstead Make sure that it is accurate and doesn’t in saving 23,243.90 in total on the to work. In such an event, you would Clonskeagh Road contain any mistakes. The longer the total interest repaid as well as shaving 2 be paid up to a maximum of 75% of Dublin 14 credit crunch continues the better the years and 10 months off the lifetime of pre-disability earnings which would tel (01) 260 0388 credit rating you will need as banks and the mortgage. allow you to continue to meet any www.icb.ie lenders tighten up their lending criteria. outstanding loan or mortgage The principle credit reference agency Credit cards repayments. MABS in Ireland is the Irish Credit Bureau The effects of the credit crunch are not 2nd Floor (ICB), which holds credit rating reports. limited to mortgages. In the UK, lenders Save! Save! Save! Commercial House The information held by the ICB about have seen their levels of bad debts soar The expression ‘saving for a rainy day’ Westend Commercial borrowers and their loans remains and credit limits have been reduced. could not be more appropriate in the Village accessible by financial institutions for While we are not as badly affected here current environment where credit is Blanchardstown Dublin 15 the term of the loan and 5 years after in Ireland, the latest figures from the harder to come by and cash is king. As Helpline 1890 283 438 the loan is closed. This will contain Irish Central Bank show that the non- banks have seen credit market www.mabs.ie details of missed loan repayments, the mortgage credit growth rose from 18.9% conditions tighten they have engaged in failure to clear off any loans or loans in February to 20.8% in March 2008. a ‘deposit war’ in order to attract more which were settled for less than owed. It This was the first time that the non- deposits and bolster their reserves. At will also show if any legal action was mortgage credit rate increased in over a the time of writing, First Active’s online taken by a lender against a borrower. year. e-Savings deposit account is currently You can receive a copy of your credit If you owe money on a credit card offering the best rates in the market report from the ICB for a fee of €6.00. that charges a high rate of interest, offering 5.22% AER, or Annual consider moving the debt over to a Equivalent Rate (this rate illustrates the Tackle your mortgage provider that offers introductory rates of guaranteed interest as if paid and One of the obvious repercussions of the 0% on balance transfers. These compounded each year). For regular tighter lending conditions caused by the introductory rates apply for a limited savers, Anglo Irish Bank’s Regular credit crunch is that as steeper time from the date that you switch so Annual Saver Account pays 8% on borrowing costs are passed on by banks, you should make sure you pay off the monthly contributions up to €1,000 consumers are likely to see higher rates balance within this period. However, (€2,000 for a joint account). on and less choice of credit cards, don’t rack up credit card applications. overdrafts as well as mortgages. A string Applying for numerous credit cards at Deal with your debt of lenders including First Active, Ulster the same time gives the impression that If you find you are struggling to meet Bank, Bank of Ireland and Permanent you are desperate for money. your loan repayments and are getting TSB have raised their interest rates for into financial difficulty it is important new business. Currently it is first-time Insure your income not to bury your head in the sand and buyers, people trading up and down or With the credit crunch threatening to tip just hope the problem goes away. Sit those re-mortgaging who have felt the the global economy into a recession down and work out a budget. Be impact of steeper borrowing costs. many people are worried about the realistic about what you require to However, as the impact of the credit financial consequences should they find meet your basic needs and calculate the crunch widens, it is likely that some of themselves unable to work or lose their maximum amount of money you can the deals currently available on job. This is particularly true if you have use to attack your debts. List all of your switching your mortgage are likely to significant financial responsibilities in loan, credit card, mortgage and other disappear. the form of a mortgage, large personal debt repayments and when they fall If you are able to overpay your loans or dependent children or relatives. due. If you are in arrears or feel that mortgage payment you should do so. Furthermore, if you are self-employed you will be unable to meet some of Even a small additional amount each and you suffer an illness or disability your payments, contact your creditors Report by month can save thousands of pounds in you will not be entitled to receive state and inform them of the situation. It is Mark Channing cc interest and take years off your benefits or employer sick pay. in their interest as well as yours that an agreed repayment strategy is reached. If you can’t tackle your debt problems yourself there is help choice comment available. The Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) is a free, confidential and independent service It is still unclear how long the current crisis has to run before the squeeze in the credit market eases. Many for people with debt and money commentators are predicting that we are at the beginning of the end, while others place us at the end of the management problems. MABS has 52 beginning. Whichever it is, consumers need to be aware of the steps they can take to weather the storm as best offices around the country staffed by as possible. The ripples of the current crisis were initially slow to reach our shores, but they seem now to have trained Money Advisers who will help arrived. In times of such uncertainty, consumers need to be more vigilant than ever to ensure they manage their you decide the best way to resolve any finances rather than have their finances manage them. financial problems you may have.

254 consumer choice JULY 2008 FINANCE HEALTH

Yoga explained Yoga has become quite a commonplace exercise routine. But there is more to yoga than improved fitness and flexibility.

Yoga originated in India, where it physically demanding, others more pregnancy, mother and baby yoga and traditionally combined a greater balance meditative. It is important to pick the yoga for children. There are a few of spiritual and meditative aspects with type of yoga that suits your generally applicable pointers to consider physical poses. There are eight limbs to expectations and what you wish to before heading off to class. yoga. Poses or asana are just one ‘limb’. achieve from it. If you choose to • Don’t eat for at least two hours before Yoga can be physically demanding, practice for stress relief it may be better your yoga practice. Yoga is best increasing flexibility and muscle tone. to choose a more meditative type. If practiced on an empty stomach. The practice of yoga in the western world you are considering yoga to increase • Wear loose fitting comfortable clothes more commonly focuses on yoga as a physical fitness, a more strenuous type that you can move easily in. type of exercise. However, yoga can also that raises the heart beat may help • If you have any pre-existing injuries, include deep breathing and meditative towards the desired result (see Types of inform your teacher. They can then AT A GLANCE aspects, which can be relaxing. yoga practice). advise you to adapt any poses to avoid Whatever type you choose, classes are aggravating the injury. Yoga types. Yoga that is right for you often offered at beginner, intermediate or • Yoga is not a competitive sport or about Anyone can practice yoga, whatever advanced levels. Outside of the types of achieving the perfect posture. Realise Benefits. their level of fitness. But there are yoga, classes can be adapted to the needs your limitations, don’t push yourself many types of yoga. Some are of specific groups, such as yoga for too far or compare yourself to others. Qualifications.

HEALTH JULY 2008 consumer choice 255 Useful contacts TYPES OF YOGA PRACTICE

Irish Yoga Association • Ashtanga This is an intense form of yoga, where you move from not too strenuous. PO Box 9969 one pose to another without a break. This makes it quite • Kundalini This type focuses on postures with rapid repetitive Dublin 7 strenuous. Power yoga classes are based on Ashtanga yoga movement in tandem with the breath. A specific breathing tel (01) 4929213 poses. But in classic Ashtanga yoga a set sequence of poses will technique is developed. Kundalini may sound intensive, but this email [email protected] be followed, whereas in power yoga the practice often diverts is one of the more spiritual types of yoga, where emphasis is not www.iya.ie from the set sequence. just on the physical practice, but also breathing, chanting • Bikram This yoga is practiced in a heated environment, usually and meditation. Yoga Therapy Ireland 20 Auburn Drive around 40ºC. The heat is thought to loosen tight muscles, which • Iyengar The emphasis during the practice of Iyengar yoga is on Killiney makes the practice easier. But high temperatures can also make precision and correct alignment. Alignment refers to the precise Co Dublin it more demanding. Lots of sweating is likely. It’s advisable to way your body should be positioned to obtain maximum benefits tel (01) 235 2120 wear light clothes and bring a towel and bottle of water to class. and avoid injury. Props such as blocks or straps will often be used email [email protected] This type of yoga is not advised for pregnant women. It can also to assist you to get your body into alignment (see Yoga gear). www.yogatherapy be called ‘hot yoga’. Postures can be held for longer in this type of yoga practice than in ireland.com • Hatha This is a general term for yoga practice. It is also the others, and moves quickly from one pose to another. most common type of yoga class. The practice mainly focuses • Vinyasa This yoga focuses on synchronising your breath with The Yoga Alliance on postures, regulated breathing and meditation. There will often your movements. You will move from one pose to the next with Ireland be short periods of rest between postures where you go into a each inhalation and exhalation. Practice is based on a series of 1st Floor resting pose. This type is good as an introduction to yoga, as it is poses called ‘sun salutations’. 55 South King Street Dublin 2 tel (059) 647 3866 email Precautions Ireland can provide details of qualified Qualifications info@yogaalliance Some yoga teachers may ask you to yoga therapists from the Yoga Yoga teachers can come from a variety ireland.com complete a medical questionnaire Biomedical Trust (see Useful contacts). of backgrounds. They may have www.yogaalliance before taking a class. This is to ensure qualifications in other complimentary ireland.com the teacher is aware of any health Regulation therapies, or have practiced yoga problems or injuries the student may In 2005, the National Working Group themselves for some time and then Useful websites have. If thinking of practicing yoga on the Regulation of Complimentary gone on to train and teach yoga. during pregnancy and you haven’t Therapists recommended statutory Teachers can have a sports and fitness Yoga Federation of practiced yoga before, you should not regulation for some complimentary background and teach classes such as Ireland www.yfi.ie begin until you are twelve weeks therapists, such as herbalists and aerobics, as well as yoga. pregnant. If attending a class not acupuncturists. Voluntary regulation The actual training teachers receive Yoga Biomedical specifically designed for during was recommended for others, which has not been standardised. There are a Trust pregnancy, inform your teacher that includes yoga. Subsequent research by number of yoga teacher training www.yogatherapy.org you are pregnant. In the later stages of the Department of Health and courses in Ireland. There are differences pregnancy, it’s best to attend a class Children found that the sector is in their duration and topics covered. British Wheel of Yoga that’s been designed for your needs. fragmented and did not have effective Apart from practical aspects of yoga, www.bwy.org.uk structures for statutory regulation. anatomy and physiology, first aid and Benefits Voluntary self-regulation is the yoga philosophy can be part of teacher The general benefits of yoga include approach now followed for all training courses. They can range from stress relief, relaxation and improved complementary therapists. 300 to 600 hours, usually run on a part physical fitness. Research has found that Self-regulation should be the time basis for 2 to 4 years. Foundation yoga can also benefit specific responsibility of a single professional courses are also available, which are conditions, such as asthma, arthritis, body with self-regulation mechanisms in often around 200 hours in length. back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome. place. This has yet to occur for yoga. There are a number of specialist However, it is important to distinguish There are four main yoga organisations training courses in different types of between the general practice of yoga in Ireland, the Irish Yoga Association, Yoga yoga, such as Kundalini, Iyengar, and yoga as a therapy. Some conditions Society Ireland, Yoga Alliance Ireland and Vinyasa, yoga during pregnancy and may not benefit from practicing yoga in Yoga Therapy Ireland. There are also other yoga for children. a general class situation. smaller bodies. There has been some In Ireland, there is no consensus on Yoga can also be classed as a consolidation, as the Yoga Federation of what the ideal training standards should complimentary therapy, with the Ireland is an umbrella group for five yoga be. Training courses run by members of practice designed to suit individual training organisations. the Yoga Federation of Ireland must be a needs. A yoga therapist will have The national working group also minimum of 2 years comprising 400 qualified as a yoga teacher, but also recommended establishing one teaching hours, which must include 50 hold additional qualifications in yoga representative organisation as a first step hours of anatomy and physiology and a therapy (see Regulation). If you have a before harmonisation of training first aid certificate. Standards are difficult pre-existing condition and are standards. They felt that professional to determine as the different yoga bodies Report by considering yoga therapy discuss this organisations should be separate from can have different views, valuing some Aisling Murtagh cc with your doctor first. Yoga Therapy training providers. aspects of yoga over others.

256 consumer choice JULY 2008 HEALTH A national occupational standard for YOGA GEAR yoga teachers has been developed in the UK. Courses accredited by the British There are an increasing number of yoga and online. Wheel of Yoga (see Useful websites) have accessories on the market. We take a look at a few • Clothes: Yoga teachers will advise wearing met the national standard, which must basics. comfortable, breathable clothes that allow you to be a minimum of 500 hours. stretch easily. To save some embarrassment, t-shirts A set of training standards for • Mat: A yoga mat can add to the comfort and safety should not be too loose as they could fall over your complimentary therapists is being of your practice and is probably the most essential head in forward bends. Lycra is not advised as it can drafted by the Higher Education and yoga accessory. Mats can be provided at some yoga be slippy. There is special yoga clothing available, Training Awards Council (HETAC). classes, so check with your teacher. When you strike but it really isn’t essential. Yoga is usually practiced When finalised, these standards could be a pose, you may hold it for a while and hands can barefoot, so no fancy footwear is required. applied to yoga qualifications. get sweaty. Slipping is a possibility, which can lead • Blocks: These can be used as a prop to give some to injury. Non-slip ‘sticky’ yoga mats are thought to extra support in poses when needed. They are Insurance be among the best. Some new mats can be a little usually made from lightweight foam. Yoga teachers are not obliged to have slippy, which will reduce with use. Running the mat • Straps: These can be useful for poses where you insurance, but they generally will. If they through the washing machine can help this. But can’t stretch that extra little bit. They can assist you request the use of premises, such as a don’t spin the mat, leave it to drip dry. Mats can be to get a pose that may otherwise be too difficult. gym or community centre, it is unlikely purchased from sports stores, specialist yoga centres they will be given permission to use the premises without adequate insurance. Yoga Therapy Ireland recommends that teachers should have public liability and insurance against malpractice. If teachers instruct specialist classes such as yoga in pregnancy and yoga for children they should also have extra insurance cover.

Class practice The cost of a yoga class will vary. On average, a drop-in class can cost between €14 and €20. Cost also seems to depend on where you live, with classes in Dublin more expensive than the rest of the country. The price may vary depending on the length of the class, which can last from one, to as long as two hours. Payment can often be made per class or for a block of classes. If you pre-pay for a course, it can be cheaper (provided you attend all the classes, of course). YOGA LINGO Yoga can be practiced at home by following the instruction of a DVD. Geri Your yoga teacher may use some of the following between conventional and alternative therapies, rather Halliwell and Davina McCall are among terms. They are not as complex as they sound. They than them being seen as polar opposites. the celebrities who you can strike a come from Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. The • Asana classic yoga postures. (yoga) pose with. It may be cheaper to practice of yoga aims to unite body, mind and spirit, • Dharana concentration. buy a DVD, rather than fork out for a and the word yoga itself comes from Sanskrit word • Dhyana meditation. class each week. But this is not the ideal ‘yog’ meaning unity or oneness. Some teachers may • Mantra chanting. way to practice yoga, especially for the not use these terms at all. • Pranayama controlled breathing, breath awareness. The Yoga Federation of Ireland code of conduct • Pratyahara withdrawal of the mind from sense beginner. You can be unaware of what recommends avoiding the use of Sanskrit language. awareness. you are doing wrong and leave a greater This is to help foster a greater sense of cooperation • Savasana relaxation. risk of injury. Yoga is best practiced with the guidance of a qualified teacher. Yoga teachers will encourage students to choice comment practice poses you learn in class at home. Even the experienced yoga student will If considering taking up yoga, before you commit to a class, find out your yoga teacher’s qualifications, their level attend class every now and again. of experience and what insurance they have. They should be more than happy to give you this information. The websites of Yoga therapy Ireland Yoga is not widely thought of, or used as a complimentary therapy. It is more often practiced for general health and and the Irish Yoga Association list well being. It is not, like herbalism, a complimentary therapy that involves taking remedies, and it is not physically teachers who have completed their invasive, like acupuncture. However, it is important to establish training standards, especially for yoga teachers. training (see Useful contacts). National accreditation could help give the consumer a guarantee of a consistent, approved level of standards.

HEALTH JULY 2008 consumer choice 257 HEALTH

Folic acid and the prevention of NTDs

Adequate levels of folic acid in the mother’s body at conception and in the early stages of pregnancy can prevent serious birth defects, such as spina bifida. But pregnancy can be a surprise. This makes getting the message to those most at risk a real challenge.

The National Committee on Folic Acid of data on pregnancies that do not Folate and folic acid Food Fortification was established in reach full term and the lack of a The B vitamin, folate, occurs naturally 2004. The Committee is looking at the national congenital defects birth in foods. Good natural dietary sources issue of fortifying foods with folic acid register in Ireland. of folate include: green vegetables, in light of the relatively high levels of NTDs are a group of birth defects especially asparagus, broccoli, green neural tube defects (NTDs) in Ireland that result in abnormalities in the beans, peas and spinach. Other good and evidence that folic acid central nervous system and spinal cord. sources include: cauliflower, eggs, consumption can reduce the incidence These occur in the first few weeks of potatoes, oranges and orange juice. But of these birth defects. The Committee pregnancy. The most common NTD is as with many vitamins, folate is easily report, published in 2006, highlighted spina bifida. The spinal defect can destroyed during cooking, food AT A GLANCE that the incidence of NTDs in Ireland sometimes be repaired through surgery, processing and even if fruit or is higher than in the rest of Europe. In but surgery is not always a solution. vegetables are over-ripe or bruised. NTDs. 2004, it was estimated that 1.5 in every Most babies born with spina bifida will Folic acid, the synthetic form of folate, 1000 babies are born with an NTD survive but will have moderate to is most commonly used in vitamin Genetics. each year. The report also noted the severe handicap. More severe NTDs, supplements and fortified foods. See actual incidence of NTDs may be such as anencephaly and iniencephaly, our tables for the folic acid content of a Early pregnancy. under-estimated because of the absence are fatal. range of vitamin supplements and a

258 consumer choice JULY 2008 HEALTH variation within certain genes can also these birth defects. But this may prove Useful contacts influence how well folate is used in to be another challenge. the body. Food Safety Who needs folic acid? Authority of Ireland Down to the genes It has been found that there is a high level Abbey Court Lower Abbey Street It has been found that a section of the of public awareness of the importance of Dublin 1 Irish population have a genetic taking folic acid during pregnancy. The Advice 1890 336 677 predisposition to metabolise folate advice is that folic acid supplements at a tel (01) 817 1300 differently. Research based in Ireland level of 400µg should be taken prior to fax (01) 817 1301 has identified variations in at least two conception and for the first twelve weeks email [email protected] genes that can increase the risk of of pregnancy. However, being aware of www.fsai.ie having a baby with an NTD. This leaves this fact does not always mean it is acted some individuals with a greater risk due upon. Also, the time when folic acid is The Irish to their genetic makeup. Up to half of taken is crucial to prevent NTDs. When Association for folate related NTDs are thought to be pregnancies are planned and folic acid is Spina Bifida and explained by one of these genes, known taken, this most often starts when the Hydrocephalus National Resource as MTHFR. A 2004 paper published in pregnancy is confirmed. This is too late as Centre the British Medical Journal showed that the neural tube is completely developed Old Nangor Road the link between MTHFR genotype and between 21 and 28 days after conception. Clondalkin NTD risk was greater than previously Research from the UK published in Dublin 22 thought. This means that some women Public Health Nutrition found that a 1890 20 22 60 need more folic acid than others, not large proportion of women reported tel (01) 457 2329 fax (01) 457 2328 www.iasbah.ie “When only a specific group of the Irish Nutrition and population has higher folic acid needs, we Dietetic Association Ashgrove House must ask whether mandatory fortification of Kill Avenue Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin bread is the right approach.” email [email protected] www.indi.ie selection of fortified foods. You may just because natural dietary sources of taking folic acid during pregnancy. Useful websites also see a blue symbol on some foods folate may be less effectively absorbed However, more significantly, most did stating ‘with extra folic acid’ or ‘contains than synthetic folic acid, but because of not take it in early pregnancy when it is European Food folic acid’. This symbol has been devised this genetic predisposition. most needed to protect against NTDs. It Information Council by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland For most adults, the Recommended was also found that those from lower www.eufic.org (FSAI, see Useful contacts) to indicate Daily Allowance (RDA) of folate is 200 socio-economic groups were much less Folic acid, today that food has been fortified. micrograms (µg) per day. However, for likely to take folic acid when it is most and everyday Research has shown that folic acid is women of childbearing age, an intake of critical. Younger women were less likely www.folicacid.ie better absorbed by the body than 400µg of folic acid per day is to take folic acid at all. This evidence is natural folate. This can also be referred recommended to protect their also reflected in Ireland’s population. to as ‘bioavailability’. Foods that have pregnancy against the development of Research carried out in Ireland from natural folate can contain inhibitors NTDs. However, the Irish Association 2001-3 found that folic acid is often not that block the absorption of the for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus taken before conception. It was also vitamin. Folic acid, the synthetic form (see Useful contacts) recommends that found that younger, poorer and less of folate, is not easily destroyed or women with a higher risk of having a educated women were the least likely to affected by inhibitors. This means the baby with an NTD need to take as take folic acid. body can then make better use of the much as 4000µg per day, ten times the vitamin in the synthetic form. recommended amount for women of Catch 22? However, natural food sources of childbearing age. Family history of the Planning for the unplanned folate still make a vital contribution to presence of NTDs is one sign of those The Committee report highlights that our daily intake. Research published who are at risk. about half of all pregnancies in Ireland last year in the American Journal of For women in the higher risk are unplanned. There is an inherent Clinical Nutrition found that the category, eating foods naturally high in contradiction here that makes it more bioavailability of the natural folates folate or food fortified with folic acid difficult to address the need for women can be as high as 80% of that of folic will not provide the required amount of to take folic acid before they conceive. acid. Foods naturally high in folate are folate to protect against having a baby Folic acid is needed at adequate levels in also good sources of other valuable with an NTD. Those in the high risk the early stages of pregnancy to help vitamins and fibre. category should be identified and prevent NTDs. But if women are not Report by Besides folate bioavailability, targeted to help reduce the incidence of planning on having a baby, with the Aisling Murtagh cc

HEALTH JULY 2008 consumer choice 259 FOLIC ACID CONTENT general pressures and worries of life, it Benefits is unlikely they will prioritise one issue There are general nutritional benefits Supplement Folic acid per dose (µg) and one nutrient. Women who are not from having an adequate intake of folic B VITAMINS planning pregnancy are more likely to acid. It supports the nervous system and use contraception, such as the pill. general cell function. The genetic Berocca Plus effervescent 366 Solgar B complex ‘50’ tablets 400 Would adding folic acid to the predisposition discussed earlier does not Sona B complex tablets 400 contraceptive pill go some short way to just relate to NTDs, but has also been Quest Multi B complex 400 lessening the risk? Such a move may be found to contribute to a greater risk of Viridian B complex High Five capsules 200 controversial in itself. Or is there developing other diseases, such as FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTS another solution? cancer, heart and Alzheimer’s disease, Clonfolic folic acid tablets 400 because of the inadequate use of folate Sona folic acid tablets 400 Food fortification in the body. Viridian folic acid capsules 400 The issues are clear, but the solutions are IRON SUPPLEMENTS not. However, in 2006 the National Risks Sona iron complete liquid 100 Committee on Folic Acid Food Increased intake of folic acid in the Vitabiotics Feroglobin capsules 500 Fortification recommended that most elderly has been found to mask vitamin MULTIVITAMINS Centrum Complete tablets 200 white, brown and wholemeal bread on B12 deficiency. This can then enhance Seven Seas Multibionta tablets 200 sale in Ireland should be fortified with the deterioration of nervous system Solgar VM-75 tablets 400 120µg of folic acid per 100g. The aim is to functioning that result from B12 Sona Multiplus capsules 400 increase folic acid intake in all women of deficiency, if undiagnosed. Questions Quest Super Once a Day tablets 200 childbearing age. It was also recommended have also been raised regarding the SUPPLEMENTS FOR PREGNANCY that monitoring is an essential part of a potential effects of stores of unused folic Vitabiotics Pregnacare tablets 400 fortification programme, to ensure it is acid in the liver. Viridian Pregnancy Complex capsules 400 effective and safe. Research has also suggested that SUPPLEMENTS FOR WOMEN Mandatory folic acid fortification of taking folic acid supplements can Solgar Female Multiple tablets 800 foods has already been introduced in increase the risk of bowel cancer in at Vitabiotics Wellwoman capsules 400 other countries, such as the US, risk populations, such as those who OTHER SUPPLEMENTS Pharmaton capsules 100 Canada, Chile, Brazil, Indonesia and have polyps in the colon. These are Sona Calcium Complete tablets 200 Israel. In the case of the US, it has more common in the over 50s. While Vitabiotics Skin, Hair and Nails capsules 500 been documented that this has led to most polyps will not develop into a decline in the incidence of NTDs. cancer, high levels of folic acid can FORTIFIED FOODS: FOLIC ACID CONTENT Research from 2002 found that the accelerate the process where cells may Alpro light unsweetened soya milk 85 per 250ml increase in folic acid in the become cancerous. This is worrying Avonmore Supermilk 70 per 100ml population was double than expected. when we look at the fact that bowel Brennans sliced white bread 19 per slice However, all flour in the US is cancer is the second most common Dairygold light 100 per 10g serving fortified with folic acid at the level of cancer in Ireland (skin cancer being the Flora vegetable spread 100 per 10g serving 140µg per 100g of grain. most common). Kelloggs breakfast cereals1 58 per 30g serving But regardless, this creates another Mandatory fortification of folic acid Kelloggs Nutrigrain bar 50 per bar Kelloggs Special K cereal bar2 34 per bar question that needs addressing: what has also been proposed in the UK. The Nestle breakfast cereals1 51 per 30g serving are the implications of fortifying bread issue is currently on hold pending an with folic acid for those outside of the expert review of evidence relating to 1 2 Folic acid content may vary slightly depending on cereal and serving size. Kelloggs target category? There are reported risks bowel cancer risk and folic acid. This cereal bars in general are fortified, folic acid content may vary depending on size of bar. and benefits beyond NTD prevention. review is not expected to be concluded until mid-2009. It is important to highlight that when the link between bowel cancer choice comment risk and folic acid has been made, high levels of folic acid were consumed, well Mandatory folic acid fortification of foods has great potential benefit. However, the time and circumstance in life above the RDA. when we consume more or less folic acid has an impact on whether it is beneficial. A high intake is not best for the In Ireland, recommendations from elderly and those with polyps in the bowel, which are more common in the over 50s. On the other hand, it is the mandatory fortification programme essential to ensure women of childbearing age get enough folic acid to prevent NTDs. The key point seems that have set an upper limit on the amount most women know they should take folic acid, but also need to become aware of when it is most important. of folic acid to be added to bread It is vital to have enough folic acid in the body pre-conception and in the early stages of pregnancy. When only a (120µg per 100g). This aims to provide specific group of the population has higher folic acid needs, we must ask whether mandatory fortification of bread is protection against a high intake the right approach. This could also increase the folic acid intake of those who don’t need it. occurring in the general population. To retain consumer choice, it is proposed that only some breads will be fortified. Is this enough to allow Folic acid is a vitamin we all need. consumers to make informed choices? Consumers must be made aware of which foods contain added folic acid, We must keep in mind that there is a especially since extra folic acid is not good for some consumers and they may not be aware of this. distinction between the benefits of folic This issue goes beyond mandatory fortification. Many foods and food supplements already contain folic acid at acid at recommended levels, and the varying levels. It also raises another issue - the need for greater regulation of voluntary fortification of foods with all potential risks of a high intake. nutrients - not just folic acid.

260 consumer choice JULY 2008 HEALTH COUNSEL

Shopping online

Internet shopping can offer greater choice and lower prices to consumers, but are there disadvantages? What are your rights?

As broadband penetration increases and selling it online. You can buy antiques, EU-based company you have the same speeds get faster more and more people sunglasses, second hand cars, golf clubs, rights as you do when buying from a have access to the internet and all the flights, baby products and craft items to shop. In fact you have more rights under services and facilities that come with it. name a few. European legislation. Consumers are Many items are available to buy online, In this article we explore the pros and given a seven-day cooling-off period. and often at a great discount when cons of buying online, and have a look This means if you change your mind AT A GLANCE compared to buying the same item in to see what savings are available. We about something you have bought the shops. also explain your rights and advise you online, or the items don’t arrive on time, Pros and cons. You can buy anything from groceries on how to protect yourself. you can return the items according to the to books and CDs to bespoke jewellery Distance Selling Regulations. This starts Your rights. online. For literally anything you can Your rights from the moment you place the order think of, there is bound to be someone When buying online from an Irish or and ends seven working days from the Price comparison.

COUNSEL JULY 2008 consumer choice 261 day after you receive the goods. ONLINE VS. SHOP PRICES During this period you can cancel without having to give a reason. You shop online difference € € may, however, have to pay the postage price ( ) price ( ) (%) CDS charges to return the item in question. Westlife Unbreakable - The Greatest Hits Collection Vol. 1 8450 The Distance Selling Regulations don't apply to items bought from foreign Amy Winehouse Back to Black 19 12 37 websites or to items such as unsealed Leona Lewis Spirit 19 12 37 CDs or DVDs. Duffy Rockerferry 18 12 33 As with anything bought in a Madonna Hard Candy 17 12 29 physical shop items must be of Celine Dion Taking Chances 14 10 29 satisfactory quality and fit for use, if they are not you may be entitled to a Garth Brooks The Ultimate Hits 18 17 6 refund, repair or replacement. Items Andrea Bocelli Vivere One Night in Tuscany 12 12 0 purchased must also be as described on VIDEO GAMES the website. If you have been given Dawn of War Soulstorm (PC) 30 18 40 inaccurate information you may be Grand Tourismo 5: Prologue (PS3) 40 25 38 entitled to a refund. Sega Bass Fishing (Wii) 50 35 30 The online retailer must also clearly display the name and address of the The Sims 2 Kitchen and Bath Interior Design Stuff (PC) 15 11 27 company, how the items will be Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii) 60 46 23 delivered (i.e. An Post, by courier etc.) Uefa Euro 2008 (PS3) 70 56 20 and that you have a right to cancel. They Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2 (Xbox 360) 70 58 17 must also inform you how the contract Devil May Cry 4 (Xbox 360) 55 49 11 may be cancelled and any guarantees or after sales service that they offer. Look for Condemned 2 (PS3) 60 56 7 links labelled ‘FAQ’, ‘contact us’ or ‘terms and conditions’ for example. symbol will be displayed at the bottom where they can be reached. These details of the page, or at the top if using can usually be found by clicking on How to pay Windows Vista. links such as ‘contact us’ or ‘help’. The most common way to pay online is Double clicking on the padlock will An authentic website should also by credit card, but you can also use show the site’s security certificate. There clearly state how much delivery will services such as PayPal (see Consumer may also be information on the site cost, and this information should be Choice, February 2008, p59 for more regarding what security measure or easily accessible. It can usually be found information on PayPal), or prepaid encryption the retailer has in place, in the ‘help’ section. credit cards. ensuring your personal information will Prepaid credit cards offer security remain safe. Pros of shopping online when buying online. If the prepaid Checking bank and credit card • It’s cheaper: This is the most obvious credit card is stolen, only the amount of statements regularly will show if there is reason for buying online. Many credit available can be used. They also any fraudulent activity. Inform your websites sell products at vastly lower offer an alternative for people who bank immediately if you suspect that prices than in the shops. Our price prefer not to have a credit card. this is the case. comparison shows that in some cases When paying for an item online you can save up to 25% on DVDs and check that the website is secure. See Shop around CDs and 15% on cosmetics. Shop safely for more information on As our price comparison revealed, no one • Broader range of products: Your how to check if a site is secure. single site will always be the cheapest. As local book shop can only hold as with buying from a shop, shopping many books as fit on its shelves. Shop safely around on several sites and comparing Online retailers are not limited in Although most online retailers are prices should reveal the best deal. this way and can have several genuine, there are those who are not. warehouses full of books in stock. As This makes it important to protect Where to buy buying and selling online becomes yourself and your information. But When deciding what website to buy more mainstream, an ever-increasing there are steps you can take. First use a from, it is important to choose a range of products is available. You firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware reputable cross-border retailer, such as a may also find many products that software to protect your computer (see store you’re familiar with. If you want to are not available in Irish shops, but Consumer Choice, May 2008, p192 for check the authenticity of an online store make sure to check that the website more information on internet security). the European Consumer Centre (see will ship to Ireland, as some To guard your personal information Useful contact) has a handy tool called websites will not ship larger check that websites are secure before HOWARD, which allows you to check a electrical items. entering your details. Secure webpage specific site. • More convenient: You can shop addresses start with the letters https, A genuine retailer will display a without leaving your house or even instead of the usual http, and a padlock physical address and phone number your bed if you want. Our lifestyles

262 consumer choice JULY 2008 COUNSEL have grown more hectic and buying CDs when buying online, and these disks online means not having to brave the CDs showed some of the best savings remain expensive. bustling shops. Busy mums and dads Consumer Choice found in the course of With the growing popularity of can order groceries online and this research. We looked at music that television series sold as DVD box sets, no arrange for them to be delivered at a was in the charts at the time of the survey would be complete without time that suits. You can organise survey and found that prices online including these. We checked prices of box birthday presents without leaving were on average 28% lower, equivalent sets including Frasier, The Sopranos, Lost your desk. Christmas shopping has to a saving of about €5 per CD. Some of and Seinfeld and found that while there never been so easy or stress free. the sites surveyed had a larger catalogue was quite a wide range of prices, with of chart and pop music than other different series offering different levels of Cons of shopping online genres. So if you are looking for a savings, box sets bought online were on • Security issues: As we have outlined, specific jazz or classical CD then it may average 13% cheaper than in the shops, there can be security issues when take a little bit longer to find. (See our equivalent to savings of around €10. shopping online and divulging table for a selection of CDs surveyed.) personal information such as credit Games card or bank account details so it’s Cosmetics and perfume Video games are both very popular and very important to always be vigilant. Consumer Choice looked at the most expensive, starting from around €40 in • Customer service: Most online retailers popular makeup and skin care products some cases for new releases. Consumer offer a phone number where their across eight brands (Dior, Bobbi Brown, Choice looked at the best selling games for customer service representatives can be Clinique, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent the PC, the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox reached, but sometimes it’s nice to talk and Benefit) both in the shops and 360 consoles. Again we found a significant to someone face to face rather than online. We also looked at both men’s reduction in price online with savings of looking at a webpage. And if problems and women’s fragrances. 40% in some cases compared to the shops. do arise, you can’t simply go down to Although we did find, in some cases, The average saving we found was 24%. (See your local branch to discuss the issue. a dramatic difference in prices between our table for a selection of games surveyed.) • No hands-on experience: This is an the shops and online, the biggest issue for larger purchases, but some problem was finding the particular Delivery people may wish to try a product product we were looking for. If you are Don’t forget about the delivery costs before buying or to see its size, colour looking for a bargain and aren’t too when buying online. Consumer Choice or texture and this is not possible bothered which brand you choose then found that when looking at cosmetics in when shopping online. You can’t try there are certainly are large discounts to particular, different products seemed like on clothes or test a digital camera or be found online. a good bargain until the delivery charge mp3 player in advance, unless you go We found savings of up to 46%, with was added. In some cases this brought the to a shop first. the average saving around 15% on price in line with shop prices. • Credit cards are necessary: Some cosmetics. We found an average of 30% Some sites offer free delivery, and online retailers will accept payment savings on perfumes. while the price of delivery is Useful contact for through a service like PayPal. But for incorporated into the price of the item, cross-border those who don’t, you need a credit DVDs and box sets this offers the consumer transparency assistance card, which may exclude some Consumer Choice compared the price of with regard to the total price. consumers from taking advantage of DVDs and DVD box sets in shops and European Consumer ONLINE SAVINGS Centre the lower prices. well known websites online. The DVDs 13A Upper O'Connell included top sellers, and we found quite PRODUCT AVERAGE SAVING Street, a considerable difference between the (%) Our price comparison Dublin 1. Consumer Choice looked at a range of shops and online. In fact we found an Perfume 31 tel (01) 8090600 products both in the shops and online average of 35%, with several of the CDs 28 www.eccdublin.ie to see if - and how much - money can DVDs selling at half price. Games 24 be saved by buying online. We looked For consumers who have bought a Cosmetics 15 Report by at books, CDs, cosmetics and perfume, BluRay player for high definition DVDs DVDs 13 Jenny Harrow cc DVDs and video games. The results are we found little or no difference in price Books 9 laid out in our table, Online savings.

Books Amazon was one of the first sites to choice comment offer books online, and is certainly still one of the biggest. But more sites are Buying online offers the consumer not only a greater choice of products but also selling books these days. Of the sites better value for money than in the shops. Most items are widely available online, Consumer Choice surveyed, we found from reputable online retailers, but as always when conducting business online, that prices of books online and in the some simple security measures are needed. Shopping online has become shops was roughly comparable, with mainstream with many high street retailers also having online shops. If saving of €1 or €2 per book consumers are sensible and vigilant when shopping online there should be no corresponding to about a 10% problems. And if a problem does arise consumers have the same rights as they difference. do in a physical shop.

COUNSEL JULY 2008 consumer choice 263 PRODUCTS Test

Skoda has recently presented its newly revamped and roomier Choice Buy Fabia. ww

The Choice Buy VW Polo is well made, with comfortable ww seats and plenty of room up front.

Overall the Choice Buy ww Ford Fiesta is a fairly sophisticated supermini with lots of positive features.

The Choice Buy Opel Corsa comes with a clearly laid-out ww cockpit and many standard comfort features. ww The look of the new Choice Buy Toyota Yaris has been upgraded.

Super Superminis If you’re looking for a super small car for running around town or even for longer journeys, look no further.

In the past we have brought you 20% of the total new car market in brings you five Choice Buys. reports on the medium and large Ireland and the large choice can We have included in the review of cars on the market, 4x4 cars, estate make it confusing for many each car the EuroNCAP rating. The cars and eco-friendly cars, but this consumers. There are so many crash test looks at how cars perform in time around we are having a look at superminis to choose from, and so both side and front crashes, and the the superminis. Superminis are larger many of them are good cars that result is based on a five star rating than a city car, such as the Ford Ka deciding which one is for you can be system. Look out for our review of the AT A GLANCE or Kia Picanto, but smaller than a bewildering. And not only is the EuroNCAP crash tests in next month’s small family car like a Hyundai range growing in size but the cars Consumer Choice (August 2008) for Everyday cars. Accent or an Opel Astra. themselves are getting roomier. more information on how these tests It has been estimated that small Consumer Choice has looked at ten of are conducted, and what the results 5 Choice Buys. cars and superminis make up around the superminis on the market and mean in terms of safety.

264 consumer choice JULY 2008 PRODUCTS choice buys

1: Volkswagen Polo €16,010 - €28,520 parking assistant is optionally available for the tested the five-door 1.4 D-D4 model priced at This is a well-balanced, efficient and back of the car. €19,275. environmentally-friendly supermini. Unfortunately, Under the luggage cover the boot holds 275 In terms of visibility the rear headrests are this comes at a price being overall our most litres of luggage, which is average for the retractable if they are not needed. The large expensive Choice Buy. The VW Polo is well made, supermini class. exterior mirrors are heated and a rear parking with comfortable seats and plenty of room up With the rear seat folded forward, the volume assistance is an optional extra. However the driver front. The suspension is comfortable and the car is reaches 660 litres measured to window bottom cannot see the car's front end and the wide easy to operate, with low fuel consumption. We line. It’s very accessible and the layout is very window pillars block the diagonal rear view when tested the three-door hatchback 1.4 TDI engine practical and convenient. turning. with a price tag of €20,890. Steering does not require a lot of physical effort When the storage tray under the floor panel is The 59kW diesel engine is not the fastest car but and is responsive and precise. The brakes are very included, the boot holds only 225 litres. The powerful enough to keep up with traffic around town. effective. When braking from 100kph, the car volume expands to 640 litres if the back seats are A clear forte of the Polo is its easy operation, with comes to a standstill after approximately 37 folded forward, measured up to window bottom clearly and intuitively designed and laid-out controls meters. Overall, the suspension and damping of line. The tailgate is easy to open; however, you and the gauges are clear and well arranged. The the Fabia are well-balanced and tuned. The might dirty your hands. seats and steering wheel are both adjustable and response of the suspension is above average in The driving light and wiper switches are housed would adapt to most heights of person. this class. in practical steering-wheel-mounted levers. The The brakes respond very quickly and can be standard CD/radio can be operated from the applied in small increments. Unfortunately, the 3: Ford Fiesta €14,755 - €27,000 steering wheel and a display informs the driver of driver has to lift his or her leg high to press the After its reengineering, the nice and - for years - the current and average fuel consumption. protruding pedal. widely used supermini is even a bit more perfect Steering precision is poor; however, the Yaris is The car has a good steering response from the and sophisticated. Overall, this is a fairly easy to handle thanks to smooth steering and central position and has good handling thanks to sophisticated supermini with lots of positive small dimensions. The small turning circle of ten smooth steering, even though it has a rather wide features and would be a good car for both short meters makes manoeuvring within a small space turning circle. Although the lab found visibility to be and longer distances. The chassis set-up is a well- easy. Braking performance is very good. When awkward because of the non-retractable balanced compromise not being too stiff or too soft braking from 100kph, the car comes to a standstill headrests, especially when turning and and most bumps are well absorbed. after only 35 meters. manoeuvring, the car has a good front view It has good visibility and easy handling as well because of it tapering front. as a spacious interior. The driver has excellent 5: Opel Corsa €15,450 - €28,995 The rear boot holds up to 255 litres of luggage. front view and acoustic rear parking sensors and The new Corsa features good workmanship and Folding the symmetrically split rear bench forward heated exterior mirrors are available as an option. comes with a clearly laid-out cockpit and many expands the volume to 570 litres measured to The tailgate opens wide to make loading easier, standard comfort features. We tested the three- window bottom line. The hatch opens and closes however it only releases using the ignition key or door 1.0 Twinport engine costing €15,450. It may easily and the large opening provides easy access by operating a switch mounted on the dashboard. not be lively and refined, but delivers a good and good boot usability. The control lights on the dashboard are clear driving performance at reasonable fuel In the EuroNCAP frontal and side crash test, the and the speedometer is easy to read. The glove consumption. The Corsa scored top in the car achieved four out of five stars. box is large but has no light inside. EuroNCAP crash test with a five-star result. Overall, We tested the 1.6 litre five-door configuration at this is a very likeable, handy and safe supermini 2: Skoda Fabia €14,250 - €22,945 a price of €19,050. The Fiesta moves swiftly featuring excellent workmanship. Skoda has recently presented its newly revamped without requiring gear shifts and masters The car features halogen headlamps including and roomier Fabia. The added room makes getting overtaking and faster driving easily. adaptive cornering and turning light as well as rear in and out of the car easier. We tested the five-door The precise steering responds quickly and parking sensors which are optional. The driver gets 1.4 TDI Elegance at a cost of €20,490 at the because of its direct and smooth steering and a good view of the road but the view to the back is higher end of the range. In the Elegance version, compact dimensions, the supermini is easy to obstructed by large window pillars. the Fabia offers improved operating convenience. handle. The powerful brake reliably slows down the At 235 litres the boot capapcity is only average The enhanced features make long-distance driving Fiesta. When braking from 100km, the car comes overall. The boot floor can be moved higher to in this supermini comfortable. It’s roomy both in to a standstill after only 38 meters, so braking divide the boot into a 155 litre top part and an 80 the front and the back. response is good. litre bottom part. The Fabia’s ergonomy and operation are intuitive With four of out five stars, the Fiesta's EuroNCAP The new Corsa is mostly easy to operate. All the and all buttons and switches feature control lights crash test result is good. important switches are ergonomically mounted and can be operated easily. The multi-functional near the steering wheel and the speedometer and display shows fuel consumption, exterior temperature 4: Toyota Yaris €15,190 - €22,670 revometer are clearly laid out and easy to read. It and alerts the driver if the doors are not locked In the course of the model changeover, the look of also has an on-board computer with a fuel properly. Thanks to the good ergonomics of almost all the new Toyota Yaris has been upgraded. It has consumption indicator. However, the fingertip- the controls the Fabia is almost instantly easy to become slightly bigger and features considerably controlled indicator and wipers may take awhile to drive. improved safety details. In the EuroNCAP crash get used to and there are only a few storage For an urban vehicle, the Fabia hasn’t got great safety the car achieved the highest score of five compartments. visibility. The driver can hardly see the front end stars. Unfortunately, operating the car has become The steering is very responsive and fairly and visibility to the rear is poor. However, the a bit more difficult. This is a very reliable, fuel- precise and the car has a short braking distance of large exterior mirrors are heated and an acoustic efficient supermini with high safety standards. We 38 meters with excellent braking response.

PRODUCTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 265 A look at the other cars tested

Citroen C2 €14,495 - €20,995 and fuel consumption. The brakes are quick This is a very eye-catching three-door to respond and offer good modulation. supermini. The 1.4 litre four-cylinder petrol However, it has poor rear visibility. The engine we tested is very powerful and suspension is a bit stiff and ‘thumpy’ and the provides for good driving performance. Overall, engine drones a bit. It has high fuel this is a small and practical car but our lab consumption and high running costs. would suggest that it is only bought with a conventional transmission. It’s easy to climb Mazda 2 €15,895 - €20,895 into with good front seats and safe road The small Mazda has an exterior design and handling if equipped with ESP. It also has technology that compares easily with its powerful brakes. However, it has a small boot competitors. The high body offers comfortable and the back seats are a bit cramped. It also entry and lots of space on its small base. The has rough transmission and high fuel engine is fairly refined and powerful enough. consumption. In the EuroNCAP crash test, the Fuel consumption is, however, rather high. All C2 was awarded four out of five stars for a in all, a likable car that is ideal around town The Citroen C2 is a small and practical car. good level of safety. but also delivers a good performance on long rides. It comes with comprehensive standard For a car of this class, the Honda Jazz €16,645 - €21,090 equipment and fairly good visibility and Honda Jazz provides Honda has been offering its Jazz for some handling. It got four out of five stars in the masses of space. years and its room concept is still unique. For EuroNCAP front and side crash tests, with a car of this class, the Jazz provides masses excellent results in the side crash. of space for four passengers and if needs be, five, and a very large boot. We tested the Mini Cooper S €21,350 - €38,210 three-door 1.4 SE Sport with a retail price of Having undergone some reengineering, the €20,060. The engine is very quiet but hums original Mini's remake remains much the at higher revs and as is typical with Honda, same in terms of optical characteristics. the five-speed transmission is very precise. It After an upgrade, the engines are more has good workmanship and comprehensive powerful and more fuel-efficient. However, standard equipment. The Honda Jazz it still has its original shape, the white roof received four out of five stars in the stretching far forward, the steep EuroNCAP crash test. windscreen, the short overhangs and spacious front cabin. The Cooper ‘S' engine Peugot 207 €15,955 - €31,690 is fitted with a turbo charger which This sporty supermini has plenty of room in provides for excellent tractability from low the front with a powerful engine and very revs and very good driving performance. good road handling. It also has a high level of Adding any of the many extras available safety according to our lab’s assessment. The may drive up the Cooper's already steep Peugeot is quite easy to operate and the price. This essentially is a small cult car to steering wheel adjusts for height and reach. have fun with, with a powerful engine but The small Mazda 2 compares easily with its The on-board computer displays trip distance rather unclear operation. competitors.

MODEL SPECIFICATION TEST PERFORMANCE

starting BEHIND THE WHEEL (25%) COMFORT (35%) price (€) brakes handling & visibility space boot size driving steering in car comfort

1 Volkswagon Polo 16,010 www wwww www www www wwww 2 Skoda Fabia 14,250 wwwww wwww www wwww wwww wwww 3 Ford Fiesta 14,755 wwww wwww www www www wwww 4 Toyota Yaris 15,190 wwwww wwww www www www www 5 Opel Corsa 15,450 wwww www www wwww www www 6 Citroen C2 14,495 wwww www www www www www 7 Honda Jazz 16,645 www wwww www wwww wwwww www 8 Peugeot 207 15,955 wwwww wwww www wwww wwww ww 9 Mazda 2 15,895 wwww www www wwww wwww www 10 Mini Cooper S 21,350 wwwww wwww wwww www ww wwww

266 consumer choice JULY 2008 PRODUCTS Useful contacts

THE LENGTHS WE GO TO… Volkswagen www.volkswagen.ie Cars are tested in different versions - usually those that are Skoda most frequently sold, or those that are most efficient in www.skoda.ie terms of engine and equipment. The total test rating is based on more than 300 individual ratings divided into Ford criteria such as performance, smoothness of the drive, tel (021) 4329290 steering wheel and pedals, space in the car to give a www.ford.ie comprehensive overview of the car. A subjective assessment of the workmanship and Toyota material quality of the body and the cabin of the car is tel (01) 419 0200 carried out by a minimum of three lab experts. Visibility from www.toyota.ie the driver’s seat of the car is assessed as well as the ease of getting in and out. Boot capacity is measured using foam Opel blocks and the volume measure up to the window bottom www.opel.ie line, so as not to obstruct the driver’s view. The Peugeot supermini has Further assessments include a review of the accessibility, plenty of room in function and ergonomic arrangement of all the controls and the front with a display within the driver’s reach. While test driving the car powerful engine. assessments are made of the suspension, the seat contours, the interior noise, the heating and ventilation and the engine performance, among other things. Road behaviour is assessed on both public roads and test tracks, including an obstacle avoidance test.

The Mini Cooper S still has its original shape, the white roof stretching far forward and a steep windscreen.

SCORE % USING THE TABLE vehicle fuel The more stars the better. stability consumption emissions control (20%) (15%) (5%) SPECIFICATION: n/a wwwww wwww 70 Price: Typical retailer’s starting price if you shop around. n/a wwwww wwww 68 TEST PERFORMANCE: wwwww wwwww 9.5 66 Behind the wheel: Includes ratings for the gears and clutch, 9.3 wwwww wwww 65 braking distance, handling and steering, and visibility. wwww wwwww n/a 65 Comfort: Includes the amount of space in the car, boot 8.5 wwww wwwww 63 space and accessibility, driving comfort, noise, heating and ventilation, and child restraints. n/a wwww wwwww 63 n/a www wwwww 61 Fuel consumption: In the city, in the country, on a motorway at 120km, test average n/a www wwwww 58 n/a ww wwwww 56 Emissions: Based on the concentration of different pollutants. Report by Jenny Harrow CC

PRODUCTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 267 PRODUCTS Test

The Choice Buy Sony HDR-SR10E camcorder has very good movie quality. The Sony HDR-HC9E is the only Choice Buy ww from the mini-DV category of camcorder. ww ww The Choice Buy Sony HDR-SR11E has a hard disk capacity of 60GB.

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This Choice Buy Canon HG10 is a relatively large high definition ww hard disk drive camcorder. ww The Choice Buy Sony HDR-CX6EK is a neat size. The Choice Buy Panasonic HDC-SD9 offers good movie recording quality. Digital camcorders Using a camcorder can be the perfect way to capture memories of family holidays that you’ll never forget. But Consumer Choice found that buying a high definition camcorder can be pricey.

For this report on digital camcorders we Recording formats •DVDcamcorders record onto tested a total of 24 camcorders, nine of Camcorders come in many different blank 8cm DVD camcorder disks. which were capable of high definition formats, each requiring a different These can be simply ejected from recording. The remaining 15 were type of memory to record to. But what the camcorder and played back standard definition camcorders. The do they all mean and which is right straight away. The discs themselves results show that the image quality of for you? come in five main recording high definition is in most cases, and as • Mini-DV camcorders record onto formats: DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, you would expect, vastly superior to the Mini-DV tapes, which are relatively DVD+RW and DVD-RAM. DVD standard definition models. small, and thus easy to store and camcorders are usually compatible However these high definition carry. They cost from €9 for three 60 with more than one type of DVD, camcorders are not cheap. Starting at minute tapes. They are one of the but none of the models tested are €750 and going up to €1,250 they are more established recording formats, compatible with all formats. Start- a significant investment. And to get offering greater backwards up time can be slow with these AT A GLANCE the best out of them you may need a compatibility and the best flexibility camcorders. high definition television and a HD- for video editing on a computer. • Hard disk drive camcorders allow 8 Choice Buys. DVD or Blu-ray player for playing back • Memory card camcorders tend to recording for hours and hours disks created on a computer. None of be smaller and sleeker and they directly onto the internal hard disk High and standard the models tested use Blu-ray disks. record onto a removable memory drive. 30GB should give enough definition. They are of course compatible with card, although the cards, especially storage for around 7 hours of standard definition televisions and high capacity cards, can be recording at the highest quality Features monitors but you won’t necessarily see expensive. An eight GB secure level. Footage is then transferred to explained. the benefits of the better video quality. digital card can cost around €145. a computer using a USB cable.

268 consumer choice JULY 2008 PRODUCTS choice buys

MINI-DV all the Choice Buy camcorders the shutter delay. With one set of charged 1: Sony HDR-HC9E €1,200 battery life is good with nearly two hours batteries the camcorder recorded for The Sony HDR-HC9E is the only Choice of recording with one set of fully nearly two hours. Buy from the mini-DV category of charged batteries. camcorder. Its excellent movie and still DVD image quality really impressed HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD) 20: Canon HR10 €1,100 Consumer Choice. It’s quite a compact 11: Sony HDR-SR11E €1,200 This Choice Buy is a traditional DVD size, no bigger than standard definition This camcorder is similar to the Choice camcorder. It offers very good image mini-DV camcorders. Buy Sony HDR-SR10E (12) but with a quality in movie mode, with three It has two standard definition and larger hard disk capacity at 60GB, slightly standard definition and four high one high definition modes. The optical better movie quality, and the largest LCD definition recording modes. For a zoom range is 10x with optical image monitor on test. You pay a price however camcorder it has good still image stabilisation and there is an accessory for the higher specs. quality, with lots of still image manual connector for a video light and This camcorder offers both standard settings. However there is a long a microphone. and high definition recording onto either a shutter delay in this mode. The autofocus on this camcorder is hard disk drive or a separate memory It has an optical zoom of 10x with great. Whether panning across a scene card. It has an optical zoom range of 12x optical image stabilisation and one in low light or at the far end of the and a viewfinder can be used to record as image sensor. A viewfinder is available zoom the quality is good and the well as the LCD screen. as well as an LCD screen. camera adjusts very quickly. Movie and still image quality are great It has very good image quality in on this camcorder, although it is let down both daylight and artificial light and MEMORY CARD by shutter delay and start-up time in still good results for low light situations. It 5: Panasonic HDC-SD9 €990 picture mode. Consumer Choice was has very good autofocus when This HDTV camcorder records to a impressed with the autofocus in quality panning across a scene, whether that secure digital memory card. It offers and speed when panning and in sunlight. be in sunlight or low light conditions. good movie recording quality but only average still image quality. It’s quite a 12: Sony HDR-SR10E €950 21: Sony HDR-UX19E €1,000 small camcorder and easy to handle, This Choice Buy camcorder has very This Choice Buy Sony camcorder has being by far the lightest of our Choice good movie quality, and also good still an optical zoom of 15x, one of the Buys. It also topped our table in terms image quality. It’s also our cheapest largest of our Choice Buys. It is, of battery life, with a maximum Choice Buy, but at €950 this is not much however, quite a large and bulky recording time of just less than two of a claim. camcorder but with very good movie hours with one set of charged It offers four high definition recording quality. It can record onto DVD, batteries. modes and movies can be recorded onto memory card or 8GB built-in There are no standard definition either the 40GB hard disk drive or a flash memory. recording modes on this Choice Buy separate memory card. It has a 15x High definition recording is available camcorder but there are four high optical zoom, one of the largest of our on this camcorder but the highest definition options available. It has a 10x Choice Buys. You can also record in quality setting is different between optical zoom with an optical image surround sound and it has an accessory DVD and Flash or memory card. stabiliser. Unlike most of the other shoe to add a video light and microphone. Again this Choice Buy camcorder camcorders tested, it has three image This is a very good all round camcorder produced high scores across all movie sensors. It also offers surround with good test results across the board, recording categories, especially in low sound recording. particularly in artificial light. light and with image stabilisation. Consumer Choice was particularly 6: Sony HDR-CX6EK €1,250 13: Canon HG10 €1,000 impressed with the very quick Useful contacts The Sony HDR-CX6EK is a rather small This Choice Buy Canon HG10 is a start up time. camcorder that records onto a memory relatively large high definition hard disk Canon card. The neat size of the camcorder drive camcorder that produced very good ALSO WORTH CONSIDERING tel (01) 205 2400 makes it very portable and it produced movie and still image quality. It also has Standard definition www.canon.ie very good movies and still images. lots of still image settings, but If you don’t want to pay megabucks It offers users three standard unfortunately the sound quality for a high definition camcorder then Panasonic Ireland Ltd definition and four high definition wasn’t great. the Sony DCR-SR210E (14) might be tel (01) 295 0942 modes and has a flash for shooting still Offering the many features and worth considering. While still pricey www.panasonic.co.uk images. The 10x optical zoom lens also accessories you would expect this at €850 this was the best of the comes with image stabilisation and you camcorder produced great movies in standard definition camcorders Sony can record in surround sound. both daylight and artificial light settings. tested. It’s a hard-disk model with a tel (01) 413 1700 Consumer Choice was impressed With a large 10x optical zoom Consumer large 60GB disk but you can also www.sony.ie with the movie image quality in all Choice was impressed by the optical record to a memory card. It’s not types of light and still image quality, image stabiliser, which has a good effect particularly small but is easy to particularly outdoors, although the on the image quality. Still image quality handle and both movie and still Report by shutter lag was disappointing. As with was also impressive, but there is a image quality were satisfactory. Jenny Harrow CC

PRODUCTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 269 What to look for make it easier to shoot in different lighting GZ-MG330 (19) but with a larger number • Optical zoom: A higher zoom will allow situations as camcorders generally struggle of CCD pixels and still better image you to get closer to what you’re shooting. to produce good image quality in low light quality. The movie quality of both cameras The camcorders we tested range from 10x outdoors or indoors. is more or less comparable. to 42x zoom, but a 10x should be • Sound: Sound quality isn’t always great on • The Sony DCR-DVD410 is similar to the enough for most occasions, unless you’re camcorders, but some will allow you to Sony DCR-DVD310 (22) but with very far away from the action. Practically attach an external microphone which can additional built-in Flash memory for speaking, there is no impressive help to increase sound quality. recording. difference between a 25x and a 42x • Still photos: Most camcorders allow you • The Panasonic HDC-HS9 is similar to the zoom, especially when you consider the to take still images as well as shoot Choice Buy Panasonic HDC-SD9 (5) but problem of getting a stable image at the video. Only three of the models we has a built-in hard-disk. farther end of the zoom. tested don’t have this feature. The quality • The Panasonic SDR-H280 is similar to the • Screen size: An LCD screen allows you is not yet as good as a digital camera. Panasonic SDR-H40 (17) with a slightly to see what you’re shooting, and also Some models will allow you to save still smaller 30GB hard-disk instead of 40GB review footage already taken. Generally a images to a separate memory card for and a higher number of CCD pixels. larger screen will make framing your easy transfer to a computer. • The Sanyo VPC-HD700 is similar to the subject easier. Choice Buy Sanyo VPC-HD1000 (7) but • Scenes modes: Most camcorders come Similar models with lower general quality for both movies with a range of automatic modes. This can • The JVC GZ-MG435 is similar to the JVC and still images.

MODEL SPECIFICATION TEST PERFORMANCE

Price (€) optical high LCD monitor weight size movie image images zoom definition diagonal (cm) (g) (wxhxd, cm) quality (40%) (10%) MINI-DV 1 Sony HDR-HC9E 1,200 10x ✓ 650 9.5x8.5x14 wwwww wwww 2 Sony DCR-HC62E 400 25x 6.7 460 7x8.5x11.5 ww ww

3 Panasonic NV-GS90 299 42x 6.8 450 7.5x8.5x11.5 w n/a

4 Sony DCR-HC51E 237 40x 6.2 440 7x8.5x11.5 ww n/a

MEMORY CARD

5 Panasonic HDC-SD9 990 10x ✓ 6.8 330 7.5x6.5x12.5 wwwww www

6 Sony HDR-CX6EK 1,250 10x ✓ 6.8 450 8.5x6.5x13.5 wwwww wwww

7 Sanyo VPC-HD1000 750 10x ✓ 6.8 310 5x11.5x9.5 wwww wwww

8 Samsung VP-HMX10 689 10x 6.6 360 7.5x7x12 www ww

9 Samsung VP-MX10 235 34x 6.7 330 7x7x12 www n/a

10 Panasonic SDR-SW20 420 10x 6.8 240 3.5x6.5x11.5 ww ww

HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD)

11 Sony HDR-SR11E (60GB) a 1,200 12x ✓ 8.1 640 9.5x7.5x14 wwwww wwww

12 Sony HDR-SR10E (40GB) a 950 15x ✓ 6.7 550 9x7.5x13.5 wwww www

13 Canon HG10 (40GB) 1,000 10x ✓ 6.8 570 9x7.5x13 wwww wwww

14 Sony DCR-SR210E (60GB) a 850 15x 6.8 550 9x8x13.5 www www

15 Sony DCR-SR55E (40GB) a 600 25x 6.7 400 8.5x7.5x11.5 www ww

16 Sony DCR-SR35E (30GB) a 446 40x 6.7 390 8.5x7.5x11.5 www ww

17 Panasonic SDR-H40 (40GB) a 500 42x 6.8 390 7.5x7.5x12 ww ww

18 JVC GZ-MG365 (60GB) a 670 35x 6.7 350 6x7x12 ww ww

19 JVC GZ-MG330 (30GB) a 529 35x 6.7 360 6x7x12 ww ww

DVD

20 Canon HR10 1,100 10x ✓ 6.8 600 8x9.5x13.5 wwww wwww

21 Sony HDR-UX19E a 1,000 15x ✓ 6.8 540 7.5x9.5x15 wwww www

22 Sony DCR-DVD310E a 400 25x 6.7 450 7x9x13 www ww

23 Sony DCR-DVD110E a 329 40x 6.7 440 6.5x9x13 ww ww

24 Panasonic VDR-D50 400 42x 6.8 460 7x9.5x14 ww ww a Additional memory card slot.

270 consumer choice JULY 2008 PRODUCTS Buying online ww All the Choice Buy camcorders are at the higher end of the price range of those tested, so Consumer Choice looked to see if they could be bought cheaper on the internet. We found savings of between 14% and 32% on the price of the camcorder online. See p261 of this issue for more information on buying online.

PRODUCT SHOP PRICE ONLINE PRICE PERCENTAGE SAVING (€)(€) (%)

Canon HR10 1,100 753 32 Sony HDR-SR10E 950 687 28 Sony HDR-HC9E 1,200 874 27 Panasonic HDC-SD9 990 731 26 Sony HDR-CX6EK 1,250 924 26 Sony HDR-UX19E 1,000 756 24 Canon HG10 1,000 762 24 This Choice Buy Sony HDR-UX19E camcorder has Sony HDR-SR11E 1,200 1,030 14 an optical zoom of 15x.

SCORE % quality handling battery life length of versatility (15%) (20%) (hrs:mins) operation (5%) (10%) www www 01:44 wwww wwww 68 www www 01:50 wwww www 44 www www 01:40 wwww www 33 www www 01:37 www ww 33

www wwww 01:59 wwww www 68 www www 01:50 wwww www 67 ww ww www 01:45 wwww www 56 www www 01:34 www www 50 The Choice Buy Canon HR10 is a traditional ww www 01:58 wwww www 40 DVD camcorder. www www 01:04 ww ww 38 USING THE TABLE The more stars the better. www wwww 1:39 www wwww 71 www wwww 01:45 wwww wwww 66 SPECIFICATION: Price: Typical retailer’s price if you shop around. www www wwww wwww 01:53 66 Optical zoom: The higher the number the more you can www wwww 02:27 wwwww www 58 zoom in, 10x should be enough for most shooting situations. ww www 01:31 www www 48 High definition: If the camcorder offers high definition ww www 01:41 wwww ww 43 recording. Weight: Includes battery, recording media and hand www www 01:55 wwww www 42 belt. www www 02:00 wwwww www 37 Size: Dimensions in the off position, with the battery and hand strap, rounded up to nearest half cm. www www 01:55 wwww ww 36

TEST PERFORMANCE: Movie image quality: Tested in a variety of conditions, wwww www 01:41 wwww www 66 including sunlight, low light and artificial light. www www 01:49 wwww wwww 64 Still images: Image quality, shutter delay and start-up ww www 01:39 www www 48 time of still photo function. Audio quality: The performance of the built-in ww www 01:30 www www 37 microphone. www www 01:18 ww www 35 Battery life: Maximum recording time with one set of charged batteries.

PRODUCTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 271 PRODUCTS Test

The Choice Buy Canon PowerShot S5 IS is a large bridge camera with a huge 12x optical zoom. ww The Choice Buy w Panasonic Lumix w DMC-FZ18 has a whopping 18x zoom lens.

The Choice Buy Sony alpha 700 is aimed at the semi- professionalww photographer.

ww This Choice Buy Sony alpha 200 is more or less a entry level SLR.

The Choice Buy Canon EOS 40D is designed for the demands of a semi- ww professional photographer. ww The Choice Buy Nikon D60 is a large SLR camera with a standard kit lens.

The big shots Whether you’re looking for a bit more versatility with a bridge camera, or looking for a semi-professional SLR camera, Consumer Choice brings you six Choice Buys.

In April of this year Consumer Choice reflex and involves the use of mirrors lens that comes with the camera. There brought you the best small digital to reflect light into the photographer’s are many types of lenses available for cameras on the market (see ‘Compact eye. When the shutter button is pressed SLR cameras and different lenses are Digital Cameras’, Consumer Choice, April the mirror flips upwards allowing the better for different types of 2008, p141). Now we bring you the pick light to pass onto the sensor which photography, such as wildlife, sports, of the larger bridge and SLR cameras. records the image. The mirror flipping portrait or landscape photography. The Digital single lens reflex cameras up is the telltale click you can hear. range of lenses available includes AT A GLANCE (DSLRs) are the choice of professional Cameras featuring ‘live view’ allow you macro, telephoto and wide angle photographers and keen amateurs. And to also see and compose photos, in real lenses. Bridge cameras. they are becoming more and more time, on the LCD screen. Lenses can be changed to suit the popular as prices are falling and more The main difference between SLR situation, so at a football game a Digital SLR models are available on the market. and compact cameras is that the lenses telephoto lens can be used to capture cameras. are interchangeable. The camera body the action from afar, or if you see a What is an SLR? can be bought separately or with one beautiful flower the telephoto lens can 6 Choice Buys. DSLR stands for digital single lens or two kit lenses. A kit lens is a basic be replaced by a macro lens.

272 consumer choice JULY 2008 PRODUCTS Useful contacts

choice buys Canon tel (01) 205 2400 www.canon.ie BRIDGE CAMERAS ENTRY-LEVEL SLR CAMERAS SEMI-PROFESSIONAL SLR CAMERAS Nikon UK Ltd 1: Canon PowerShot S5 IS €380 7: Sony alpha 200 €650 11: Canon EOS 40D €1,400 tel 0044 845 4500 0155 The Canon PowerShot S5 IS is a large This Choice Buy Sony alpha 200 is a The Choice Buy Canon EOS 40D was tested www.nikon.co.uk bridge camera with a huge 12x optical large and bulky camera, and is more or with the kit lens 17-85mm IS USM and is zoom and an optical image stabiliser less an entry level SLR. As with all SLR designed for the demands of a semi- Panasonic Ireland Ltd which works very well. As with all the cameras exposure settings and focus professional photographer. The camera is tel (01) 295 0942 cameras tested a large range of can be selected manually, and it has an large and very heavy but it offers a large www.panasonic.co.uk settings can be set manually. It has a optical viewfinder and hot shoe range of manual adjustment features, hot shoe for adding an external flash, connector. It also has a mechanical including shutter, aperture and manual focus. Sony not often seen on a non-SLR camera, image stabilising system built into the It also features live view via the monitor. This tel (01) 413 1700 but no RAW recording of files, unlike body. Although Consumer Choice wasn’t SLR camera can save files in RAW format www.sony.ie our other Choice Buy, the Panasonic very impressed with the macro and has an optical viewfinder and a hot shoe Lumix DMC-FZ18 (2). Consumer Choice performance, this camera has a lot connection for external flash. Consumer was impressed with the excellent going for it. The viewfinder accuracy is Choice liked that the camera offers very low resolution and good colour detail. This very good, as is the battery life. It has a shutter delay, is very quickly ready for action Choice Buy camera is packed with very low shutter delay, and it has a high and takes and saves pictures very quickly. features and is very versatile. picture taking performance for both single shots and in continuous mode. 12: Sony alpha 700 €1,600 2: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 €500 The Choice Buy Sony alpha 700 is The Choice Buy Panasonic Lumix DMC- 8: Nikon D60 €700 aimed at the semi-professional FZ18 is a large bridge camera with a The Nikon D60 is a large SLR camera photographer and is a large and heavy huge extended optical zoom lens. It with a standard kit lens, but with enhanced digital SLR camera. The comes with wide angle 28mm lens with regards to the available functions for camera body has an integrated 18x optical zoom. Files can be stored in creative photo shooting it’s not much mechanical image stabiliser and has RAW format as well as JPG formats. All above an entry level camera. All many manual functions but including exposure settings, such as shutter and exposure settings, as well as focusing, manual focus. It was tested with the 17- aperture can be selected manually, can be selected manually. This Choice 70mm DT kit lens. An infrared remote including manual focus. Consumer Buy SLR has an optical viewfinder and control comes with the camera. It has an Choice liked the facility for setting hot shoe connector for an external optical viewfinder and has a hot shoe different modes. The camera also has flash. The viewfinder quality and connection for an external flash, but live an electronic viewfinder, as well as an accuracy are good, and shutter delay is view is not possible on the LCD screen. LCD screen for composing and low, even when using auto focus. The The camera can record images in RAW reviewing photos. The camera also camera was very quickly ready for use format. The shutter delay on this SLR comes with optical image stabilisation, when turned on, with very high picture- camera is very low and Consumer particularity important at the higher end taking speed for single shots and in Choice was also impressed by the of the zoom range. continuous shooting mode. autofocus setting. Report by Jenny Harrow CC

Buying online

Many electrical goods can be bought cheaper online. Looking at our Choice Buy cameras you can save between 11% and 32% on the price of the camera. See p261 for a look at the pros and cons of buying online.

PRODUCT SHOP ONLINE PERCENTAGE PRICE (€) PRICE (€) SAVING (%)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 500 342 32 Sony alpha 700 1,600 1,168 27 Canon EOS 40D 1,400 1,111 21 Sony alpha 200 650 529 9 Canon PowerShot S5 IS 380 309 19 Nikon D60 700 621 11

PRODUCTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 273 Why choose an SLR? investing in a more expensive piece of kit. starting at around €20. There are many advantages to using an SLR Both of our Choice Buy bridge cameras are • Flash guns: A flash gun is attached to the over an ordinary digital camera. Because lenses under €400 in the shops and under €350 camera via a hot-shoe connector and can be are interchangeable they offer greater flexibility online. Bridge cameras generally come with a used when extra flash power is needed. They to the amateur enthusiast photographer. They very high zoom. The Choice Buy Panasonic also offer more flexibility and control of the can also take better images, because the sensor Lumix DMC-FZ18 (2) has a whopping 18x flash. is bigger than some other cameras. They can zoom lens. • Filters: Filters are added to the front of the provide sharper, more natural photos. lens, again to give the photographer more SLR cameras also have instant capture, RAW file types flexibility. They have many different uses, where you press the shutter release and the Some SLR cameras have the ability to save files such as enhancing the colours in a photo is taken instantly. Some basic digital in .raw format. As the name suggests the image photograph. The most common is a UV cameras may have a shutter lag. This means that is saved is ‘raw’ or uncompressed. A RAW filter which is used to reduce haziness that if you are shooting a football game for file contains the original image information as created by ultraviolet light and can also be example you are less likely to miss the action. it comes off the sensor before in-camera used to protect the lens from scratches. The cameras have also become easier to use processing, so processing can be done as technology develops, and most have afterwards on a PC with special software. This Buying extra lenses automatic settings so you can take great makes RAW more flexible than JPEG. When buying extra lenses for an SLR camera, photographs even without fiddling around Adjustments such as sharpening, white the first thing to consider is what type of with buttons and dials. And if you like fiddling balance and colour levels can be made to RAW photography the lens is likely to be used for; around with settings then SLRs give you the files on a computer without any loss of data. indoors or outdoors, close up or far away, fast opportunity to do just that. moving objects or portraits? As your photography skills develop it’s Accessories The two most common types of lenses are possible to upgrade and enhance your camera There are many accessories available to those with zoom capability, which are more through adding additional lenses and complete your photography kit. practical and those with ‘fixed focal length’, accessories to your kit - your camera can grow • Extra lenses: The main feature of SLR without a zoom which can give better image with you. cameras is the ability to change the lens. The quality. Macro lenses are used for taking SLRs can however be expensive. Our entry range of extra lenses available is huge, with extreme close up images. level Choice Buys are between €650 and €700 some cameras having up to 60 different It can also be very useful to try the lenses on in the shops and around €530 to €620 online. compatible lenses. They can range in price your camera before buying. This will ensure They can also be bulkier than a regular digital from around €100 to thousands of Euro. that the lens you are buying will fit your camera, especially if you have a few lenses to • Memory cards: Each camera is compatible particular camera. For example Canon and carry around with you. Dust can also be a with a certain type of card, for example Nikon make lenses to fit their cameras but concern when changing lenses. Secure Digital. As the files taken with SLR lenses can also be bought from third party cameras tend to be bigger you may need one manufacturers. Photos taken with the lens Bridge cameras or two extra cards depending on your needs. attached can be evaluated later to make sure A bridge camera is similar to an SLR in looks • Tripods: A tripod is a three legged stand to the quality is what you require. and in flexibility of settings, but doesn’t come which the camera is attached. It helps to Take care when changing lenses as dust can with interchangeable lenses. They offer the stabilise the camera and can be used for easily get into the lens. Therefore it is advisable keen amateur photographer the ability to both still and motion photography. These to remove and replace lenses quickly, with the develop their photographic skills without again vary greatly in price with basic models DSLR switched off and facing downwards.

MODEL SPECIFICATION TEST PERFORMANCE

Price (€) kit lens resolution optical size weight type of image quality tested (mp) zoom (wxhxd, cm) (g) memory card manual (30%) BRIDGE 1 Canon Powershot S5 IS 380 n/a 8.0 12x 12x8.5x9 620 SD, SDHC www 2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 500 n/a 8.0 18x 12.5x7.5x11 450 SD, SDHC www 3 Fujifilm FInepix S80000fd 370 n/a 8.0 18x 11.5x8x9.5 570 SD, SDHC, xD www 4 Olympus SP-560 UZ 400 n/a 8.0 18x 12.5x8x9 540 xD www 5 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H3 340 n/a 8.0 10x 11.5x8x8.5 340 MemoryStick DUO www 6 Kodak Easyshare ZD710 200 n/a 7.1 10x 10.5x8x8.5 350 SD, SDHC www ENTRY-LEVEL 7 Sony alpha 200 650 18-70mm DT 10.0 3.9x 13.5x10x15.5 930 CF II www 8 Nikon D60 700 DX 18-55mm EDII 10.0 3.9x 13.5x10x15.5 930 CF II www 9 Olympus E-410 490 14-42mm ED 10.0 3x 13x9.5x13.5 690 CF II, xD www 10 Olympus E-510 800 14-42mm ED 10.0 3x 14x9.5x13.5 810 CF II, xD www SEMI-PROFESSIONAL 11 Canon EOS 40D 1,400 17-85mm EF-S IS USM 10.1 5x 15x11.5x16.5 1,380 CF II www 12 Sony alpha 700 1,600 18-70mm DT 12.2 3.9x 15x11x15.5 1,090 CF II, MemoryStick www 13 Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 1,389 a Leica D14-50mm 10.0 3.6x 13.5x9.5x16.5 1,040 SD, SDHC www a This is an excellent camera, but may be hard to find in the shops. We could only find it online.

274 consumer choice JULY 2008 PRODUCTS THE LENGTHS WE GO TO…

SLR cameras are tested using the same test protocols and methods used for testing all cameras. Black and white resolution test charts are used to test the resolution of the cameras. A separate test chart is used to measure the colour reproduction and white balance. Photos are taken at the highest resolution and quality settings and evaluation is done via software. Tests are also performed for a portrait in a living room with and without flash. An outside landscape photo is taken, with trees, lawn, buildings and sky in bright sunlight. A macro or close up photo of a flower is taken in mixed light conditions. The focus quality of the auto-focus system is evaluated by way of the photo used for testing colour reproduction. The effects of image stabilisation is tested by using practical recordings and an electro-dynamic shaker is used to produce photos with the same image detail. Movie quality is also tested, on a TV screen and on a PC monitor. Movies are taken slowly panning across outdoor and indoor scenery, as well as a movie of a fan with a high revolution speed to check how continuous the recordings of the single frame takes place.

SCORE % USING THE TABLE ease of use viewfinder/ versatility battery life flash movie The more stars the better. (25%) monitor (12%) (12%) (10%) (10%) quality (3%) SPECIFICATION: wwww wwww wwwww wwwww wwww www 68 Price: Typical retailer’s price if you shop wwww www wwww wwwww wwww ww 62 around. Prices in italics indicate online prices. Resolution: Effective pixel count, stated in www www wwww wwwww wwww ww 59 millions of pixels. ww www wwwww wwwww wwww ww 56 Weight: The weight of the camera in grams, wwww ww www wwwww wwww ww 54 with the battery and memory card. www www www wwww www ww 48 Type of memory card: SD Secure Digital, SDHC Secure Digital High Capacity, xD picture card, CF Compact Flash. wwww wwww www wwwww wwww n/a 60 wwww wwww wwww wwwww wwww n/a 60 TEST PERFORMANCE: www wwww wwww wwwww www n/a 58 Image quality: For bridge and SLR cameras we judge the camera based on manual ww wwww wwww wwwww wwww n/a 58 settings. Ease of use: How easy the manual is to wwwww wwww wwww wwwww www n/a 63 follow, inserting and removing the memory wwwww wwww wwww wwwww wwww n/a 62 card and battery, and setting camera modes Viewfinder/ monitor: accuracy and quality wwww wwww wwww wwwww www n/a 62 Movie quality: on a TV and on a PC

PRODUCTS JULY 2008 consumer choice 275 Fizzy drinks In November 2006, we reported on the below the WHO recommended limit of 10 potential dangers of high benzene levels in soft parts per billion (ppb). Just two samples drinks. Benzene, which is toxic to humans, can contained more than 10 ppb of benzene. be produced in soft drinks through the However, both of these samples were interaction of the additives sodium benzoate concentrates that required dilution before Consumer (E211) and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) (E300). drinking, and once diluted, the benzene levels A recommendation of the FSAI at that time would have been well below the WHO limit. was that benzene levels should be monitored The distributors and retailers of both products currents regularly, and in keeping with this, an were alerted so that corrective action could updated set of results has just been be taken. published. How safe are Irish soft drinks, The FSAI has noted that the results of this squashes and flavoured waters in 2008? study are an improvement on those found in The present study, carried out by the FSAI the 2006 survey, indicating that the levels of in conjunction with the Galway Public benzene measured in soft drinks, squashes Analyst’s Laboratory, sampled 63 soft drinks, and flavoured waters on the Irish market are squashes and flavoured waters available on generally very low, and may be considered the Irish market, in order to establish their safe. These results also concur with those benzene levels. The news is generally found by other agencies both at EU and positive. Of the 63 samples tested, 54 (86%) international level. The FSAI has said that it did not contain detectable levels of benzene will continue to monitor these products on a and 97% of samples had benzene levels regular basis. Shopping for September While Ireland’s children are enjoying the school holidays, their parents’ thoughts may be turning to the cost of the new school year. Between uniforms, sports gear, schoolbooks, and stationery, not to mention ‘voluntary’ contributions, even public education is an expensive business. One way to save some hard-earned cash while preparing for the new school year is to sell the school books your child has finished with and buy as many second-hand books as possible. While some schools facilitate the buying and selling of used books, others don’t, making a service like www.schoolbookexchange.ie invaluable for resourceful parents. The site is easy to search, and the condition of each book is described – a crucial part of second-hand buying. Up to one million used school books are not re-used in Ireland every year, representing a huge environmental as well as financial waste. Isn’t it time to start re-using and recycling? A WEEE bit better...

Apparently we’re doing quite well when it comes to recycling our electrical and electronic equipment. According to new figures published by the Department of the Environment, WEEE recycling was up 20% in 2007, with a total recovery of 6.7 million items, or 37,812 tonnes of household WEEE. That’s 8.7kg per person, double the EU target. The progress made in WEEE recycling is being marked by the removal of EMCs (environmental management costs) from smaller electrical items, including the 50c charge on CFL bulbs. From now on, EMCs will only apply to large electrical goods such as washing machines and dishwashers, and appliances such as fridges, televisions, fluorescent tubes and gas discharge lamps, which are particularly expensive to recycle. This is a welcome change: the CAI has long spoken out against EMCs, especially when applied to environmentally friendly alternatives such as CFL bulbs. However, although the charges are being removed, these smaller items are still Currents by categorised as WEEE. Note that they should still be recycled properly Margaret Brady cc at local authority depots, and must not be put in the household bin.

276 consumerchoice JULY 2008 CURRENTS Magnet warnings

We’ve heard a lot about the safety risks of the part of manufacturers, EU authorities toys containing small magnets over the past have been very specific about the content of few years, in particular following the recall the label. It must include: of over 18 million magnetic toys worldwide • The word “Warning!” during the summer of 2007. Consumer • A statement that the toy contains organisations, including the CAI, have magnets or magnetic components. voiced concerns on several occasions about • Notification that magnets sticking small magnets that can cause severe injury together or becoming attached to a metallic or death if swallowed by children. Finally, object inside the human body can cause we are about to see some concrete change serious or fatal injury. on this issue. • Advice to seek immediate medical CEN, the European Standardisation attention if magnets are swallowed or Committee, is currently revising the standard inhaled. for toys containing small magnets, and is After 21 July, toys which do not display such expected to publish a new standard in mid- a warning label may not be placed on the 2009. However, while we wait for their market and if they are already on sale, must results, an interim requirement – that such be immediately withdrawn. In Ireland, the toys display clear and legible warning labels National Consumer Agency is responsible either on their packaging or at the point of for implementing this decision, and sale – is being introduced on 21 July 2008. offending retailers may be reported to them To avoid confusion or prevarication on at 1890 432 432. Financial complaints

Financial services continue to cause problems for being able to make a complaint. In the former EU- many consumers. With the recent downturn in the 15 states, 20% of adults have no access to banking economy, we’re all starting to watch our money a facilities; around 30% have no savings and 40% bit more closely, as shown by the latest report from have no credit facilities. In the new Member States, the Financial Ombudsman. According to the the figures are even higher: one third of consumers Ombudsman, complaints about insurance and credit are financially excluded, more than 50% have no institutions are already up 17% in 2008, with 1,600 transaction account, a similar proportion have no complaints lodged in the first quarter. Among the savings and almost three quarters have no main topics of complaint in the credit area were immediate access to revolving credit. account transactions, mortgages, loans, and credit Financial exclusion is more likely to affect people card disputes, while motor, travel, life assurance living on low incomes, such as the elderly, migrants, and investment policies were the most controversial the unemployed, lone parents caring full-time for issues in the insurance sector. children, and people who cannot work due to illness While it’s good to know that consumers who or disability. You can learn about managing your complain are being listened to, the latest EU finances and staying out of debt by contacting MABS research shows that many more are still ‘financially on 1890 283 438. The Financial Ombudsman’s excluded’ – meaning that they never get as far as Office can be contacted on 1890 882 090. Cheque-out time? Do you still use a cheque book? The Irish are among the last few significant users of cheques in Europe, according to the Irish Payments Services Organisation (IPSO), with usage about twice that of the EU average and with cheques accounting for more than 75% of all non- cash payments. Our reliance on cheques is costing the economy up to €1.4bn annually, and IPSO has called for cheques to be phased out completely by 2016. Around 73% of the population now own a Laser card, which is a 40% rise on card ownership since 2006, but according to 69% of consumers, the minimum spend requirement in many shops causes them to limit their card usage. Undoubtedly, phasing out cheques is a good move on behalf of the (particularly when paying for services) where electronic payment is not banks – cutting dramatically the costs associated with producing and accepted. In these cases, not having a cheque book means a lengthy processing vast amounts of paper. However, we’d like to see some of bank queue for a paper draft. Not to mention the many shops that still these savings passed on to the consumer. Stamp duty on debit and refuse to accept large denomination bills. Phasing out cheques may well credit cards remains far too high and there are still many cases be the way of the future, but please, make it a little easier for us!

CURRENTS JULY 2008 consumerchoice 277 FOOD

Shelf life Some supermarkets have a designated shelf with a selection of foods for sale at a reduced price. Is there a catch with these discounted foods?

Useful contacts Most of the foods on the bargain shelf can be stored for up to six months. packaged food products, such as ‘sell by’ are chilled foods close to the end of However, when defrosted it should be or ‘display until’. These dates are not Food Safety Authority of their shelf life. Although discounts can used within 24 hours. intended as a guide for consumers. They Ireland Abbey Court be enticing, don’t be solely swayed by are used to help the retailer with stock Lower Abbey Street small savings. Discounts usually take a Best before control. The CAI and the FSAI Dublin 1 percentage off the sale price, which can The ‘best before’ date indicates the recommend consumers refer to ‘best 1890 336 677 be up to 50%, but is more often less food is best consumed before this before’ and ‘use by’ dates when tel (01) 817 1300 than this. We look at a few issues to date. This date is indicative of quality checking shelf-life. fax (01) 817 1301 help you evaluate if a short-dated rather than food safety. Up to this Food businesses may sell products email [email protected] bargain really is a bargain. date, the quality of the product at a reduced rate when they are close www.fsai.ie should be at its best. ‘Best before’ is to their ‘display until’ or ‘sell by’ date. Dates of durability used on less perishable products such This can mean that the consumer has Safefood All pre-packaged food must display a as frozen, canned and dried foods. It more time to consume the product at 7 Eastgate Avenue date of minimum durability to indicate is also used on butter and margarine. home, as these dates may be a day or Eastgate Little Island its shelf-life, either a ‘best before’ or ‘use Although they require refrigeration, two before the ‘use by’. But they also Co. Cork by’ date. There are a few exceptions e.g. they do not support the growth of may be the same. 1850 404 567 salt, vinegar and food packaged or baked food poisoning bacteria. tel (021) 230 4100 on the premises. This date applies to the Foods can be sold after their ‘best Food waste fax (021) 230 4111 unopened food product. There are before’, provided the food is in When food is sold close to its date of www.safefood.eu important differences between ‘use by’ acceptable condition. Eggs are one minimum durability potentially less and ‘best before’ dates to consider if exception and cannot be sold after their food goes to waste at the supermarket. Useful website buying foods close to these dates. ‘best before’. But does this shift food waste to The Food Safety Authority of Ireland the home? Love Food Hate Waste Use by (FSAI, see Useful contacts) advises that if Research in 2007 by WRAP – the www.lovefoodhatewaste. Food can be sold close to, or on, its ‘use foods are sold after the best before, the UK Waste Resources and Action com by’ date. It is not permitted to sell food consumer must be made aware of this Programme, found that for every that is past its ‘use by’ since the product fact. Consumers must not be misled as three bags of shopping bought in the AT A GLANCE can be highly perishable. This date is to the true nature of the food product. UK, the equivalent of one is put in generally used on foods that have a If the consumer buys foods close to the bin. Equivalent figures are not Use by. short shelf-life and require refrigeration, their ‘best before’, quality may be available for Ireland but we suspect such as meat and dairy products. After compromised, but safety should not be that patterns are similar. Best before. the ‘use by’ date, the product will most an issue, provided the food is not While a bargain may seem like a likely have deteriorated in quality and damaged and is stored appropriately. bargain at the time, consider if you Food waste. be unsafe for consumption. need the product. The saving may not If buying a food close to its ‘use by’ Display until, sell by be worth the compromise on shelf-life date, check if it is suitable for freezing at In addition to either a ‘best before’ or if you are not likely to consume the Report by home. If so, the manufacturer may state ‘use by’ date, food manufacturers can food quickly. A bargain isn’t really a Aisling Murtagh cc this on the label. Once frozen, the food use other date designations on bargain if it ends up in the bin.

278 consumer choice JULY 2008 FOOD Index Indexes are printed in the April, July, October and December issues of Consumer Choice. This index covers 2008 reports in the January to June issues of Consumer Choice (see Contents on p243 for reports in this issue). A full index for 2005-07 was published on p472 of the December 2007 issue. Reports of one page or more are listed in bold type; shorter items are in ordinary type. A Cordless telephones Mar 110 H Mobile, phone May 188 Refuse collection Feb 61 Additives, food, Apr 155 Cosmetic surgery Feb 45 Haemochromatosis Jan 21 Jun 240 Removal, hair Jun 232 Adverts, misleading Feb 44 Current accounts Jan 15 Hair, removal Jun 232 Monosodium Renault, Feb 77 Customs, laptop Mar 84 Hallmark, metal Mar 116 glutamate Apr 155 Laguna Sport Tourer Jan 28 Advice, pharmacy Jun 211 HD-DVD Apr 156 Motor rescue Jan 5 Megane Jan 27 Airline tickets, online Jan 36 D Health, oral May 180 MW radio Apr 158 Modus Jan 28 Alfa Romeo, Dental, service May 180 service satisfaction Jun 238 RTE Apr 158 Detergent, laundry Mar 113 159 SportWagon Jan 24 Heating May 169 N Digital camera, Nanocosmetics Apr 157 Allergies Herbal, medicine Jun 205 S compact Apr 141 National Heritage Week Feb 44 food, labelling Jun 220 Honda, Accord Jan 24 Safety, fire Jan 36 Anaemia Jan 21 Disabled consumers, Nightsaver tariff Apr 129 food Apr 125 Aquaculture ecolabel Jan 4 mobile phones May 188 I Nissan, Note Jan 28 mugs Mar 84 Dishwashers Jan 33 Nutrition, juice Jan 18 Audi, A4 Jan 24 Import, brazilian beef Mar 98 Satellite navigation Feb 65 Donations, charitable Mar 118 labelling Jan 8 A6 Jan 24 Income Tax Guide Feb 48 Seat car, child Jun 227 pregnancy Mar 116 Security, internet May 192 B E Inflation May 198 Ingredients lists Mar 84 Service, dental May 180 Bacteria, beneficial Apr 132 eBay Feb 58 O Internet, Providers Jan 10 customer Jun 240 Bank charges Jan 15 Elderly, Obesity, White Paper Jan 37 Iron supplements Jan 21 health, satisfaction Jun 238 overcharge May 178 financial entitlements Jan 38 Ombudsman, press Apr 135 Inspections May 175 public Apr 158 Beef, Brazilian import Mar 98 mobile phones May 188 Omega Apr 137 Spring, cleaning Apr 160 Bills, ESB Apr 129 Enhancer, flavour Apr 155 Internet security May 192 Online, airline tickets Jan 36 Standing charges Apr 129 Bin charges Feb 58 Environment Apr 140 iPhone Apr 156 auctions Feb 58 Stuff Apr 160 composting Apr 140 ESB bill Apr 129 telephone calls Mar 89 J Suncream Jun 223 Biodynamic Jun 216 Essential fats Apr 137 Jan 10 Juice Jan 18 Biscuit recall Jan 37 EU, Consumer Opel Junk mail Jun 209 T BMW, 3 series Jan 24 Commissioner Mar 84 (Vauxhall), Meriva Jan 28 Tariff, nightsaver Apr 129 5 series Jan 24 ‘Market Watch’ Mar 117 Vectra estate Jan 28 K Tax May 169 Books, author royalties Feb 77 Euro, May 198 Oral, health May 180 Breakdown services Jan 5 Kettles Feb 73 Guide, Income Feb 48 fake coins Jan 36 Organic food Jun 216 Broadband speed Jan 10 Tea Jun 214 Over-50s Show, RDS Mar 116 Buggies, Apr 146 L Telephone, F Overcharge, bank May 178 Factor, sun protection Jun 223 Label, Jun 211 area codes Feb 76 allergen food Jun 220 C Fair trade Mar 101 P cordless Mar 110 CAI, membership Farmers, markets Apr 125 food, traffic light Jan 8 online Mar 89 Paint, masonry Mar 114 number Mar 84 conventional Jun 216 juice Jan 18 Toasters Feb 69 Personal finance Jan 38 survey Jan 4 Fat, essential Apr 137 Laptop, computers Feb 44 Toyota, Avensis Jan 26 customs Mar 84 loans Mar 95 Camera, digital, Apr 141 Fax, adverts Jun 209 Trains, Laundry, Pharmacy, advice Jun 211 compact Financial spring clean Jan 38 passenger rights Feb 55 liquid detergent Mar 113 Phone, GSM May 184 Car, Fire safety Jan 36 Tumble dryers Jan 29 mobile May 188 breakdown services Jan 5 Flavour enhancer Apr 155 Libraries, Jun 240 used May 172 Food, additives Apr 155 lending rights Feb 77 U Loans, personal Mar 95 Post Jun 209 Cent, coins May 198 allergen labelling Jun 220 Ultraviolet rays Jun 223 Prebiotics Apr 132 Charges, standing Apr 129 GM Mar 85 Used, car May 172 Charity, donations Mar 118 labels, traffic light Jan 8 M Pregnancy, nutrition Mar 116 Mail, junk Jun 209 Press, Ombudsman Apr 135 Children, food May 165 marketing May 165 V marketing children Market, farmer Apr 125 Price Apr 125 Vented tumble dryers Jan 29 car seat Jun 227 organic Jun 216 Marketing, food May 165 Product recall, VRT, vehicle May 172 Chocolate Feb 76 Ford, Focus Jan 24 children biscuits Jan 37 registration tax Chrysler, 300c Jan 24 Mondeo Jan 24 Medicine, herbal Jun 205 mugs, Starbucks Mar 84 traditional Feb 44 Protection, sun Jun 223 Cleaning, spring Apr 160 Fruit, free in schools Mar 84 W Coins, fake euro Jan 36 Mercedes-Benz, Public, service Apr 158 Washing machine Apr 151 CO2 emissions May 172 G E-Class Jan 25 Pushchair Apr 146 Water purification Mar 92 Composting bins Apr 140 GDAs Jan 8 Mercury Feb 76 Computer, laptop Feb 44 Genetic modification Mar 85 Metal hallmark Mar 116 Q temperature Jun 214 shortcuts Mar 120 Gluten Jun 220 Metrology May 175 Qualification Jun 205 What am I to do? Condenser dryers Jan 29 Glycaemic index Feb 78 Microflora Apr 132 see all outside back covers Conventional farming Jun 216 Green May 169 Microwaves Mar 104 R Weight May 175 Copyright Apr 157 Greenwash Mar 117 Minerals, iron Jan 21 Radio Apr 158 Wireless technology Mar 107

INDEX JULY 2008 consumerchoice 279 Whatam I to do? When you spend your hard-earned money on something new for the house or garden, you have the right to expect that your purchases will be trouble-free. But what if they’re not?

According to sample Barbecue bother Washing woes I ordered some curtains after seeing I bought a barbecue but I didn’t After six months of use, my washing a sample in the shop but when they open it for about a month. When I machine won’t work. The seller tells were finished they didn’t look like went to use it there were some me that I can’t have a refund the sample. Can I ask for a refund? pieces missing. What can I do? because I have already used it several times. What are my rights? The Sale of Goods and Supply of In this situation the law is unclear and Services Act, which gives rights to the case should be considered Some household appliances, as consumers in their dealings with carefully. On the one hand, the Sale of washing machines, fridges, vacuum retailers, states that if an article does Goods Act states that consumers have cleaners or toasters, break down after not correspond to a sample you are the right to return faulty products and they have been used for a few weeks. entitled to ask for a repair, replacement does not stipulate a time limit for this The law states that the rights of the or refund. If the curtains that you return. So the common store policy of consumer may be reduced if the goods ordered are different from the sample not accepting returns after 28 days have been used for a reasonable you chose you have the right to redress. cannot be used in the case of faulty length of time, as in the case of your The law does not specify who goods. washing machine. In this situation, you chooses the form of redress. So if you On the other hand, consumers should would be entitled to a repair or a do not agree with the compensation act promptly when they have a problem partial refund. proposed by the retailer you can seek with a product. If there has been an In addition, electrical goods such as another form. And if you do not finally undue delay making the complaint or your washing machine often have a reach an agreement, you may take a returning the item they will only have guarantee. The guarantee is a written claim to the Small Claims Court. the right to receive a partial refund or a statement where the manufacturer However, you have no grounds for repair. compromises, during a defined period redress if the initial sample was not as You should go immediately to the of time after the purchase, to repair or you assumed it to be, for example, if the store where you bought the barbecue replace the item in case of a problem. sample of the curtains was white, but and explain the situation to them. A A guarantee is legally binding, which you thought it was beige. In this case, month is a short period of time so you means that if what is written on it is Report by the mistake would be yours, and would will probably be able to return it or not done you can take the case to the Nahia Nebra cc not be the retailer’s responsibility. receive a refund. Small Claims Court.

280 consumer choice JULY 2008 COUNSEL