Database

This reasonably high quality study found evidence that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke was associated with a small increase in risk of glucose intolerance [a pre-diagnostic indicator of diabetes] within a 15 year timescale. Evidence from: TK Houston et al. BMJ (2006) Vol. 332 p 1064 – 1069 “Active and passive smoking and development of glucose intolerance among young adults in a prospective cohort: CARDIA study” For risk assessment purposes it would be helpful to know how many people have no other predispising vulnerability to developing diabetes. Further detail: 6#5-6 24

The report clearly asserts that lung cancer, heart disease and sudden infant death syndrome are causally related to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. Asthma is not caused by exposure but there is limited evidence that frequency and intensity can be increased by it. Evidence from: United States Department of Health and Human Services. June 2006 “The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General.” For heart disease and for lung cancer the independent additional risk from ETS exposure is of the order of 25%. Those who regard exposure to risk being equivalent to material contribution would probably regard this as compensable but, so far, legal precedent in the UK would tend to exclude this as a cause of action in its own right. Further detail: 6#5-6 23

Evidence from: V Parry Times 21st October 2006 “Food fight on a tiny scale” Article prepared in advance of a major conference on the use of nanotechnology in the food industry. Reported developments include: o Nano filters for removing viruses and bacteria from liquid foods such as milk. o Nano sensors to indicate the condition of food o Nano labelling to ensure traceability o Nano coatings to reduce the effect of ultra violet spoilage o Nano particle containers to enhance vitamin content. o Nano emulsifiers to increase the miscibility between oil and water; reduces fat content. Comment Developers have not yet been making the results of toxicological research available in the scientific literature. For packaging the key issue is migration into food. For direct inclusion, the issues are redistribution in the host, biodegradability, toxicity to specific tissues, accumulation, synergy with other agents etc.

Questions are raised about the design of tests on which the novel ice-structuring protein was judged to be safe for human consumption in ice cream. No specific toxicity information is presented. Evidence from: Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes ACNFP/78/2 “ICE STRUCTURING PROTEIN PREPARATION – Additional information” The report serves as a reminder that traditional testing standards may not pick up risks from novel food ingredients. Those ingredients could be harmful. Further detail: 6#5-6 21

The committee has a duty to assess, and where appropriate, approve new techniques of food preparation. Enzymes, ultraviolet and infra red irradiation techniques have been identified as being in need of review and action. Official briefings on these are available from the ACNFP secretariat. Evidence from: Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes ACNFP/77/2 “Review of Novel Processing Techniques” Foods could be made harmful, e.g. by inclusion of novel enzymes, or not as sterile as expected. Further detail: 6#5-6 20

Pesticides are commonly found at detectable levels in all kinds of foods. The official report finds that in a small proportion of samples, levels exceed guideline values. Evidence from: Annual Report of the PESTICIDE RESIDUES COMMITTEE 2005 Directive 91/414/EEC governs the authorisation of pesticide products. Levels above the MRL were typically in excess by two or three times. Very little of this could be attributed to contamination during handling, the main reason for excessive contamination was not following the appropriate guidelines during the growing phase. Commercial liabilities would be affected. Further detail: 6#5-6 19