Column Judith Witte: Light and life

Easter is almost upon us. In the supermarkets, we're inundated with temptations. Easter bunnies, Easter eggs, Easter bread, Easter cookies, and 'everything for an elaborate Easter brunch'. A celebration of sweets, exclusive snacks, and extended dining.

From my (unrepresentative) survey, it appears that many people are not quite clear on the origins of Easter. What exactly are we celebrating? The majority of my respondents didn’t get much further than 'Something to do with Jesus. Wasn’t he crucified?'

Christians celebrate Easter, this year on March 31st and April 1st, as the day Jesus rose from the dead. It's a festival of new life, the return of light. Easter always follows the first full moon of spring. The days are getting longer. This year, we're adding something extra: in the night of Easter 2024, the clock will move forward an hour to mark the beginning of daylight saving time. (As long as the European countries can't decide on this matter, we will continue to have the phenomenon of daylight saving and standard time. But that's a side note; we were talking about food). Easter Sunday also marks the end of the forty-day fasting period. Naturally, people are eager to indulge. So, it's no surprise that there's a focus on feasting and gorging.

However, this indulgence can quickly become a risky affair. In February, I was alarmed by several notices from the NVWA: Lunetta spritz cookies and Excellent Easter cream blend might contain small metal particles ('Do not eat the cookies'). The packaging of AH Chocolate Eggs White might include milk chocolate praline eggs, and the allergen nuts is not mentioned ('Do not eat the eggs if you have a nut allergy!'). And the delightful Favorina Praline White Easter Bunnies and Favorina Praline Dark Easter Bunnies at Lidl might contain pieces of hard plastic ('Do not eat the Easter bunnies').

A mistake in the production and packaging process can mean the difference between life and death for consumers. Making errors is human, I know. And these nuisances are often found in the smallest of details. But the responsibility when it comes to food is significant. So, dear readers, please do shine your light once more on your processes. No; put them continuously in the spotlight! In this respect, for me, it's Easter all year round; I choose to celebrate life.

Judith Witte
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