What's New

The USA’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing for new health warnings, featuring graphic full colour images, for cigarette packages and advertisements, in order to promote greater public understanding of the negative health consequences of smoking.

Researchers have recommended mandatory fortification of vitamin D in wheat flour, arguing the move could save 10 million people from vitamin D deficiency and its ill-health effects which can include rickets, soft bones, bone pain, muscle weakness, seizures and even heart failure.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is urging VAT-registered contractors and subcontractors operating in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) to prepare for changes to the way VAT on construction supplies to or from other VAT-registered businesses will be charged and accounted for.

A controversial new report has suggested that the state pension age (SPA) should be increased to 70 by 2028 and to 75 by 2035, to help support an ageing population, arguing that working longer has positive impacts on the health and wellbeing of employees.

Supporters of a new report have slammed what they call the Government’s “nanny state intervention” to introduce a calorie reduction programme by “strong-arming the food industry into reformulating their products”.

Researchers have warned that employees who are injured in the workplace are more likely to die from suicide or opioid overdose.

The Royal Mail and the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) are urging people driving for work not to answer calls while on the road.

A leading cancer journal has analysed the reasons for the recent surge in deaths in the UK due to mesothelioma, warning that the asbestos “dust cloud lingers” to this day.

Workers are being urged to sign an online register to record their exposure if they believe they have been exposed to silica dust, in order to support potential future legal cases should they experience long-term health problems.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published new guidance on preparing a scientific report for health-based exposure limits and occupational exposure limits (OELs) at the workplace.