USA – The US Department of Agriculture’s website went into major overload, receiving 1,000 to 2,000 hits per second, when it featured a new interactive food pyramid.

The aim of the pyramid, which replaces a 1992 model, is to provide advice on healthy eating. Details can be found on recommended amounts by ‘stepping’ inside the pyramid. As well as dietary advice, the new logo includes tips on exercise, represented by a figure walking up stairs to reach the pinnacle.

Both old and new icons are featured on www.MyPyramid.gov and have the same food categories. However, where the old icon had a standard range of recommended daily servings, the new one provides dietary advice based on age, gender and exercise level. In the new design, blue for milk, orange represents whole grains, green is for vegetables, red for fruits, yellow for oils, while purple is for beans and meat.

There is plenty of advice on dairy products, such as optimum temperatures for freshness. There is also a choice of lactose-free alternatives within the milk group. These include cheese, yogurt or lactose-free milk.