Database

Intentionally added ingredients may contain allergens. The plan is to ensure that these are included on label. A precautionary response is anticipated, devaluing the meaning of the label. It is not easy to see how an overcautious label would create new liabilities. Product liability is strict. Contract liability issues can be anticipated where composition information from suppliers and quality assurance services proves to be inaccurate. Evidence from: Directive 2000/13/EC OJ L 109, 6.5.2000 On the 6th September 2001 the Commission issued a proposal for an amendment to the food labelling Directive (Directive 2000/13/EC OJ L 109, 6.5.2000). The proposal will abolish the “25% rule” which currently means that it is not obligatory to label the components of compound ingredients that make up less than 25% of the final food product. The new proposal means that all ingredients intentionally added will have to be included on the label. The proposal will also establish a list of ingr

Seeking a diagnosis of asthma depends on how severe it is. This study avoided self selection by following a cohort for 22 years. It found that symptoms of asthma (not diagnosed) and atopy were predictive of adult asthma. The implied defence is that adult asthma was very likely to happen regardless of any specific negligent exposure. Evidence from: HL Rhodes et al. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. November (2001) Vol. 108 #5. p. 720. A longitudinal study of early life risk factors for adult asthma. Cases of adult onset asthma should regarded as having a potential environmental cause. However, increased severity of asthma in adult life may have an innocent explanation. Risk factors for adult asthma may be useful in deciding the degree to which other causes are investigated. This was a prospective cohort study of 100 babies, born to atopic parents. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was measured at 11 and 22 yrs. Annual check-up in first 5 years. 73 were followed up at 5 years, 67 a

People with COPD can become increasingly disabled by frailty associated with muscle wasting. early opinions about this are presented in the report. It may be possible to intervene. Claims for COPD should include some element of anticipation of prolonged infirmity. Evidence from: MB Reid. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. October (2001) Vol. 164 #7 p1101. Editorial on COPD and muscle wasting. Muscle loss commonly occurs in COPD. This is partly because of the effects chronic inflammation (Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care. Med. 2001 vol. 164#8 p1414) but partly because of metabolic imbalances. But are these cause or effect? The editor favours effect, possibly due to prolonged inactivity/deterioration. But according to Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care Med. 2001 Vol. 164#9 p 1712 muscle loss is selective, the diaphragm remains strong preferentially. This argues against a genetic cause of muscle wasting. It would also seem to argue against the distal effects of chronic inflammation.

There are many potential effects of an ageing demographic. Most should be slowly evolving as the demographic gradually changes. Knowledge based liability exposure can change very quickly, as new understandings develop.  In this report, the potential for mis attribution of causation is explored.  Evidence from: CE Ruse et al. Age and Ageing. November (2001) Vol. 30 #6 p 450. It will be increasingly important to assess gentic contributions to disease causation as the demographic ages. This would help prevent mistaking an increase in frequency of disease for evidence of an environmental cause. The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#12 4

Given the lack of measurable dose response effect, the authors propose that early signs of injury be used as the trigger for review of systems of work. Qualitative aspects such as awkward postures, high hand forces, highly repetitive motions, repeated impact, heavy lifting frequent lifting awkward lifting, high exposure to vibration, are easy to describe but only at the local level can their actual significance be assessed. Both aspects of this recommendation fall well short of the EC preference for ‘yes or no’ compliance standards. Much would be left to local judges of risk. Evidence from: N Fallentin et al. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. Supplement 2 (2001) Vol.27. A standard based on bio-feedback would be more accurate, and accurate more often than a standard based on arbitrary thresholds, provided the judge of risk was suitably trained. It is not clear whether insurers would pursue a robust defence of such judgement based standards in order to det

Compared with GP directed care, care at a special rehab clinic was cheaper,and more effective at preventing transition to chronicity. The clinic made greater use of local pain killing injections rather than general systemic pain killers. Evidence from: B McGuirk et al. Spine. December (2001) Vol. 26 #23 p2615 The Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#12 2