Health
Business confidentiality: The ‘hot potato’ of new EU transparency rules on food
EU stakeholders are playing ping-pong with the body that will be responsible for deciding whether or not to break business confidentiality and make industry studies public, in line with the terms of the new transparency rules on food safety. EURACTIV.com reports from Parma.
Mercury in the water: 40% of Europe’s lakes and rivers contaminated
40% of the EU’s surface water bodies are contaminated with levels of mercury, endangering birds and marine mammals. An article by our partner, the Journal de l’Environnement.
Would Europe be prepared for the next big epidemic? Yes, but…
The EU's preparedness for outbreaks of infectious disease has increased, but member states still need to overcome ethical, administrative, regulatory and logistic bottlenecks for boosting clinical research, medical experts said at a scientific meeting in Brussels.
Global health research – a chance for Moedas to shape his legacy
Lawmakers must take the chance to strengthen the EU's investment in treatments for poverty related diseases and make the EU a hub for research excellence, writes José Inácio Faria MEP.
Drug industry reacts to Oxfam’s allegations of tax-dodging
Four of the world’s biggest pharma companies appear to hide their profits in tax havens, according to a report published by Oxfam on Tuesday (18 September). Businesses said they are in the clear.
The real face of eczema in Europe
Atopic eczema has a long time been perceived as a superficial, trivial skin disease. However, a new study found that the chronic and relapsing nature of atopic eczema can impact greatly on patient well-being and quality of life.
OLAF: Up to France to request help on genuine cigarettes smuggled from Algeria
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) stands ready to assist member states, such as France, in the fight against illicit tobacco trade with third countries, but it’s up to the national authorities to make a request, OLAF told EURACTIV.com. “OLAF will...
European Parliament warns of the dangers of Lyme disease
MEPs have called for the EU to set out guidelines on Lyme disease, a condition transmitted by ticks affecting between 650,000 and 850,000 Europeans every year and whose diagnosis remains unclear. EURACTIV France reports.
A difficult balance: Science, politics and policy-making on food
The discussion about food policies in Europe is often heated up and quite frequently politicised. The right balance between science, politics and policy-making has always been difficult to achieve.
Mayors call for annual Europe-wide car-free day
The mayors of Brussels and Paris have called for an annual car-free day for all of Europe, citing initiatives in their cities that have driven down pollution. But a recent damning report by the EU Court of Auditors revealed there is plenty of work left to do.
EFSA boss: Our advice should not be misused for short-term political interests
The selective approach of some campaign groups regarding the credibility of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) results in a “general erosion of trust” in the bodies designed to protect public health, EFSA director Bernhard Url told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Biggest-ever study on eczema in Europe urges need for further research
A landmark study on the quality of life and costs for people suffering from atopic eczema in Europe has revealed the effect of the disease on patients, particularly the sometimes high social and financial costs.
Childhood obesity: Food education more important than regulation, parents say
Education about balanced diets brings tangible results according to the vending machines lobby, while parental organisations say lawmakers should insist on good habits to tackle childhood obesity, rather than regulation.
Product reformulation a success in Ireland, industry says
Product reformulation, rather than taxes, has brought tangible results for public health, according to Food Drink Ireland (FDI), the main trade association for the food and drink industry.
Greek soft drink industry reduces sugar by 10% amid rising obesity rates
Following an EU call to reformulate food products in order to tackle rising obesity across Europe, the Association of Greek Soft Drinks Industries (SEVA) recently launched an initiative to reduce sugar in its products by 10%.
Commission: There are legal issues with industry’s proposal on alcohol labelling
The industry’s proposal on alcohol labelling has some legal issues and does not satisfy the need to fully inform EU consumers, a European Commission spokesperson told EURACTIV.com, raising fresh doubt as to how and when labelling will eventually be regulated.
Industry questions WHO’s conviction about health impact of sugar taxes
The industry believes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has no evidence to back its claim that sugar taxes are an effective way to improve public health. Instead, the industry says, taxes only lead consumers to cheaper brands with similar or even higher calorie content, which may undermine any positive health outcome.
Reducing sugar consumption: Is taxation effective?
EURACTIV analyses the existing challenges policymakers face when it comes to sugar taxes in the EU, as well as the several initiatives that have been taken ranging from food reformulation to the school level.
High immunity levels matter, Andriukaitis says after vaccination debate in Italy
When it comes to vaccination and immunity, what matters is to ensure high immunity levels and not the way each EU government will decide to follow, EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com following a heated debate on the issue in Italy.
US lawyers confident to win more Glyphosate-related legal cases against Monsanto
In a public hearing at the European Parliament on Wednesday (5 September), two US attorneys said they were confident they would win further legal cases against Monsanto, following a landmark San Francisco trial in August that ordered the US company to pay plaintiff Dwayne Johnson $289 million in damages. InfographicPromoted content
Do you care about pharmaceutical manufacturing jobs in Europe?
The European Commission is considering amending legislation relating to “supplementary protection certificates” (SPC) in order to support production of medicinal products in the EU.
JTI boss: EU Scientific Advisory Mechanism could adjust tobacco directive to reality
The next European Commission should enhance its collaboration with the EU’s Scientific Advisory Mechanism (SAM), which would provide bias-free consultancy and eventually adjust the Tobacco Product Directive to the reality, JTI’s Ramunas Macius said in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
Europeans will say goodbye to daylight saving time on 28 October
A European Union online survey has concluded that a vast majority of the bloc's citizens are against switching between summer and winter time. All signs point towards the EU now putting a stop to changing the clocks.