So I came across a Youtube Channel worth sharing: Crisis Report Aussie.

Not much is known about the author / creator. But it appears to also have a very similar presentation, format and tone (by the somewhat very similar thumbnails, and accented narration) to  "Australia Insight TV", and "Australia Food Exposed". .

I believe it's worth mentioning the above - for verifying transparency and originality of channel authorship. From viewers-perspective, it'd be good to know the "who", or the face of the creator. Especially if he/she does not leave any paper-trail links at all eg. socials. 

Relatively new but already gained well over multiple digits of views; there's still a quite a few things to take away and learn from. Again presumably appealing towards info-centric demographic, the production value is quite the standard. There are however AI generated imagery and assets to be expected. And - some uploads do have random mixes and/or segments from others.

So below are a few of my uploads I thought were quite good.

Once again, I am not affiliated to the channel in anyway.

9 Eggs Brands Sold in Australia to AVOID

Of course, none other is as necessary as humble eggs. My non-negotiables. My own food budget remains precarious

Main theme / topic: "Free-range" is increasingly a very ambigious, marketing label. Currently the only legal definition on what qualifies as free range is by their stock "hens per hectare" density. "10,000" is supposedly the legal limit. Many brands however allegedly went over the limit (up to twice) whilst misleading consumers with their "free-range" prominent labelling on the product.

• General takeaway: Support small, local businesses. Pay a visit to your local grocers and/or farmers markets.
• Brands to avoid / watch:
  • ALDI Lodge Farms
  • Eco Eggs
  • Farm Pride
  • Golden Yolk Farm Eggs
  • Josh's Rainbow Eggs
  • Pace Farms. Worst density recorded per hectare - twenty(!) thousand hens, per hectare. Almost twenty (20) times what the RSPCA limit (1,500 per hectare).
  • Sunny Queen.
  • Snowdale holdings
  • Woolworths & Coles  ~ supermarket default brands.
• In order for a brand to qualify or considered as free range, 10,000 hens per hectare is allowed for maximum stock density. Shockingly, there are brands that. housed far more than this (17,000). 
• Considering that RSPCA  limit is far lower at only up to 2,500 hens per hectare ~ quite a stark contrast.
• Snowdale holdings - who owns Ella & Swan Free Range (who also owns: "Wanneroo Free range" (Perth WA)  - were the worst in the list. 17,000 hens per hectare. Over One (1) million $ fine in the court for false labelling.

So what or who should you buy from? There is only one brand featred here. Kangaroo Island Farm. Based in South Australia. Locally owned and operated. 150(!) hens per hectare, with guardian dogs. Unfortunately I have not heard/seen them here (Perth WA). Other than this, look for RSPCA labelling or the Humane Choice labelling.

EVOO / Olive Oils

^ Crisis Report Aussie

^ Australia Insight

So here, we have two videos. One on brands to avoid. And another - to recommend.

While EVOOs got so expensive last year reaching anywhere $10 to $20 (yes ,"twenty" dollars per litre), I very seldom rely on them and mostly resort to sat fats instead - coconut oils, creams and butter.

Though I was a little surprised that supermarket own brands ~ made it through the recommended list. 

So let's run through them.

Crisis Report Aussie (6 brands to avoid):

1. Bertolli (all variants, presumably).
2. Fillippo Berio. <Don't think I've seen this one here in Perth, WA. 
3. Moro EVOO. < This one might be confusing to viewers. The other channel (Australia Insight) actually endorsed this.   
4. ALDI's Casa Barelli.
5. Colavita.
6. The Big Olive Company.

Australia Insight (12 Brands recommendation):

1. Macro Woolworths Organic EVOO.
2. Cobram Estate ("Everyday") EVOO.
3. ALDI Remano (Euro + Australian "blend" version).  I don't think I have seen this one (as the blend version), at least here in Perth WA. From what I've seen - only the Spanish version is sold here.
4. Bertolli (Australian Organic - version)
5. Sandhurst EVOO (blend of Italian and Australian). I have never seen this one here in Perth, WA. 
6. Colavita (Italian)  < This I may have to slightly question. 
7. Moro EVOO (note - not Spanish, the Australian version)
8. Red Island (from Tassy)
9. Cobram Estate (Light version)
10. ALDI Remano EVOO << This might be confused with the Remano version that's the blend between Euro + Australian. Hence, buyer beware. 
11. Woolworths EVOO (non organic version)
12. Coles EVOO < hmmm....not sure about this one, another. video from another channel does not recommend.

Besides all that, there's some good research here for takeaways. For olive oils to be generally considered as extra virgin - acidity must be <0.8% per 100ML And - peroxides level to be below 20 milliequivalents per kilogram of oil. 

Obviously there's many others.

Content authorship authenticity and few contradictions  aside - I think there's some good take-aways here from the above channels. Reading the labels, look for harvest dates + buy in dark bottles (for EVOO),  certifications and of course - being wary of anything controversial.

Still, nothing is 100% avoidable. To me, at the end of the day, is affordability and critical reading.

Considering also, not withstanding ~ other Youtube channels very identical to the ones above.

Live-it-forward,

AW.