Duncan Fairgrieve and Geraint Howells
Almost 20 years ago one of the present authors wrote an article entitled “Product liability: a global problem”. The brief paper seeks to provide a summation of what has happened…
Abstract
Purpose
Almost 20 years ago one of the present authors wrote an article entitled “Product liability: a global problem”. The brief paper seeks to provide a summation of what has happened in the meantime.
Design/methodology/approach
The article is a brief discussion of the issues: the first section comments on products liability outside Europe and the final part concludes with an overview of what happened in the UK and Europe.
Findings
The article finds that the EU Directive's approach to strict liability has become the most common influence on law reform around the globe and that there is still much uncertainty in Europe and the USA as to what the law of product liability actually is.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates how, for the foreseeable future, businesses may continue to be most concerned about product liability exposure in the USA.
Details
Keywords
Christopher J. Shanahan, Roger D. Gibb, Johnson W. McRorie, Jose M. Brum and Mary E. Ritchey
Numerous randomized clinical studies have shown that psyllium fiber lowers serum cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidemia and is thus recognized by the US Food and Drug…
Abstract
Purpose
Numerous randomized clinical studies have shown that psyllium fiber lowers serum cholesterol in patients with hyperlipidemia and is thus recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a dietary fiber that may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) by lowering cholesterol. The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential economic implications for health-care cost savings and quality of life productivity gains if the cholesterol-lowering effect of psyllium, consumed daily as a fiber supplement, could be applied to a broad at-risk population.
Design/methodology/approach
A cost-benefit analysis tool was used to examine evidence that the use of psyllium as a cholesterol-lowering agent can reduce overall CHD-attributed medical care service costs in the USA among those at high risk of experiencing disease-related events.
Findings
Results of the analysis showed that the potential net annual avoided medical care service costs and annual quality of life productivity gains among US adults 45 and older with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels = 130 mg/dL could be up to an average of $870m per year from 2013 to 2020 if everyone in the target population used seven grams of soluble fiber from psyllium daily, corresponding to a net benefit-cost ratio of $1.19 savings in annual medical service cost and annual productivity gains per $1 spent on a psyllium regimen.
Originality/value
Thus, the use of psyllium fiber as a daily supplement could be recommended as a means to help control the risk for potentially costly cardiovascular-related medical events and to maximize the economic potential for an improved quality of life in adults 45 and older with LDL cholesterol levels =130 mg/dL.
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Young Hoon Kim, Sangyung Lee and Nelson Barber
With dining out increasing globally, policy making and research have been on menu labeling as a source for meaningful nutrition information. Yet, despite attempts to mandate menu…
Abstract
Purpose
With dining out increasing globally, policy making and research have been on menu labeling as a source for meaningful nutrition information. Yet, despite attempts to mandate menu labeling and the studies examining consumer's perception of menu nutritional information and how this perception impacts dining behavior and intention to consume, concerns for obesity and malnutrition continue to be at the forefront of public health discussions. This study attempts to comprehend consumers' nutritional goals, intention and food choice behavior, thereby suggesting how to leverage this information for change.
Design/methodology/approach
Using survey data and a proposed and validated theoretical model, the study identified the different aspects of consumer's food choice by analyzing the relationship of consumer's perceived importance toward nutrition information, food choice and healthy daily behavior, and intention to improve health.
Findings
Consumers who perceive higher importance of nutrition information are more likely to choose healthy food when dining out and have stronger health improvement intention. The results also suggested healthy food choice and healthy daily behavior positively influenced health improvement intention.
Originality/value
Despite the previous studies on menu labeling and the numerous policy mandates, there is still concern about the food choice behavior of consumers while eating out. No serious effort exists to regulate food service providers similar to the regulation of other consumer products, whereby consumers are generally protected from harm. This study suggests through education, promotional marketing and industry partnerships, motivating and leveraging consumers' desire for healthy food choices could move food service providers and policy makers to change what information is provided.