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This Wednesday 24 January 2024 marks the first-ever Clean Air Night, where we will be shining a light on the uncomfortable truth about wood burning.
Up to now, it’s been easy to associate the glow of a fire or wood burner with comfort, but new evidence has discovered that wood burning hurts your health, wallet and the planet. 
Clean Air Night is a chance to learn from expert voices who will be shining a light on the myths of wood burning in videos that will be shared from sundown (4:35pm).
This Clean Air Night, learn the truth about wood burning and help protect yourself, your family and your community by sharing what you’ve learned.  
Visit the Clean Air Hub to find out more or check out #CleanAirNight. 

Practical Solutions for Improved Investigation & Development of Brownfield & Contaminated Land in Scotland

Learn practical solutions for the improved investigation and development of brownfield and contaminated land in Scotland at Environment Analyst’s 17th annual Brownfield Land Scotland conference. 

Come together with the Scottish brownfield and regeneration community to: 

● Get updates on Scottish contaminated land policy 

● Learn first-hand from case studies on brownfield land regeneration 

● Regroup with your peers in-person, share experiences and make new connections 

Event sessions include: an update on the Scottish Government contaminated land policy work, a case study of the Leven Regeneration Programme, remediation and sustainable growth tool – development of natural capital metrics for land remediation, best practice for data collection and management to inform effective risk assessment, and best practice for regulation of mine gas risks – findings of a Scottish Government research project. 

Plus, they’ll be interactive roundtable discussions, where you can discuss a key topic of interest to you in a more participative format. Topics include: developing partnerships, aligning brownfield development with sustainability goals, incorporating BNG into local development planning and improving stakeholder engagement. 

BOOK YOUR TICKET

The UK government and devolved administrations agreed to take forward proposal to ensure that non-wholemeal wheat flour will be required to contain 250 micrograms of folic acid per 100 grams of flour to help in the prevention of neural tube defects in babies. They will also legislate to increase the minimum level of calcium carbonate, iron, and niacin in non-wholemeal flour to 15% of the nutrient reference value per 100g of flour.

Following a separate UK-wide public consultation in 2019, the UK government and devolved administrations announced in September 2021 their intention to proceed with arrangements to require the mandatory fortification of non-wholemeal wheat flour with folic acid, to help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) in foetuses.

To minimise the impact of this requirement on industry this policy was co-ordinated as part of this wider review of the regulations.

The consultation covering the wider review of the regulations in 2022 sought views and further information on proposals to:

• increase the minimum level of added nutrients to non-wholemeal flour and update criteria requirements for calcium carbonate added to flour
• introduce the mandatory addition of folic acid to flour at 250 micrograms per 100 grams of non-wholemeal wheat flour
• clarify that mandatory fortification applies to flour derived from common wheat only
• exempt small-scale mills from the fortification requirements (those producing less than 500 metric tonnes per annum)
• exempt flour used as a minor ingredient in a final product (less than 10% of the final product)
• introduce the use of improvement notices to the enforcement regime

Of the proposals put forward, the UK Government said it intended to proceed with all of the ones set out in the consultation with the exception of the exemption of flour used as a minor ingredient. This was ‘primarily due to the added complexity this would create which could have the potential to compromise the effectiveness and enforceability of the regulations’.

The use of the term wholemeal remains contentious in some parts of the industry. The Real Bread Campaign has complained about its use to describe ‘50/50’ loaves and those that contain small amounts of white flour. At the time, Defra clarified that Regulation 6 of the Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 is “clear and strict” in that the term wholemeal shouldn’t be used in the labelling, advertising, or name of such bread, but instead declared on the ingredients list. However, it stressed it was not making a statement of the law, and that only the courts can interpret the law in a legally binding way. To help businesses navigate this, guidance on Regulation 6 is expected to be released shortly.

The UK Government will notify the World Trade Organization (all UK) and the European Commission (for changes in Northern Ireland) in accordance with international obligations, with a view to making the legislative changes later in 2024.

Global Action Plan hosted a lunchtime Webinar on 7 December unveiling the economic impact of burning wood.

The session discussed the details of recent economic research carried out by Global Action Plan and Impact on Urban Health which compares the cost of heating your home through burning wood, gas boilers and heat pumps.

The webinar also introduces the inaugural Clean Air Night, a sister-event to the long-established Clean Air Day.

You can view the recorded webinar here.

Findings from a paper published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that 22,138 lives in Scotland were saved as a direct result of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.  

The paper, supported by Public Health Scotland (PHS), documents the estimated number of lives saved from COVID-19 vaccination programmes across 33 European countries, including Scotland, from December 2020 to March 2023.  

It highlights that during the study period, COVID-19 vaccines reduced deaths by 57% across the WHO European Region, saving over 1.4 million lives, with most of those saved being aged 60 years or older. 

The largest reduction in mortality was achieved in countries, such as Scotland, that implemented early vaccination programmes which covered large parts of the population and reached high vaccination coverage. 

The paper estimates that in Scotland around 70% of deaths have been averted among those over 25 years old as a direct result of the vaccination programme. This provides an updated figure from an earlier estimate that was published by the WHO in 2021. 

Discussing the study, co-author Dr Jim McMenamin, Head of Health Protection Infection Services at PHS, said: 

“This important research indicates the benefits of early implementation and high uptake of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in Scotland. Thanks to all those who contributed to the vaccination programme and our communities in Scotland, it is now estimated that over 22 thousand lives were saved.  

“This underscores the vital impact that vaccinations have played in our response to the pandemic. We are hugely grateful to all those who have played their part by taking up the offer of vaccination and to colleagues who continue to work tirelessly to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to those most at-risk.” 

Reflecting on the continued risk that COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses present, Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, Head of Vaccination and Immunisation at PHS, said: 

“Our latest data suggest that there is continued circulation of COVID-19 and flu in Scotland, with 700 people admitted to hospital in the first week of January alone.” 

“We know that vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself against the most likely circulating strains of these viruses and it’s not too late to get vaccinated. I strongly encourage those who have not yet received their winter vaccines for COVID-19 and flu to increase their protection by taking up the offer if eligible.” 

The Scottish Government have announced that there will be tight safeguards introduced on XL Bully dogs in Scotland to make it a criminal offence to own the breed without an exemption certificate.

The legislation will mirror what has been introduced by the UK Government in England and Wales, and prevent Scotland from becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for this breed.

Under the new rules, existing owners will be required to consider whether they wish to keep their dogs. If they do, they will have to apply and pay a fee for an exemption permit. This will require owners to ensure appropriate safeguards are taken for their XL Bully dogs such as muzzling when in public, being on a lead when in public, taking out insurance and neutering their dogs. 

In addition, it will be illegal to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon a dog or let it stray or give it away.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety will make a statement to Parliament next week on these new safeguards.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said:

“We recognise that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible animal lovers. However, now that we know the full implications for Scotland of the UK government’s measures, we are urgently bringing forward new safeguards on XL Bully dogs. It is essential Scotland is not adversely impacted because of any loopholes created as a consequence of the introduction of the UK Government’s policy in England and Wales.

“Recent reports of XL Bully dogs being moved to Scotland from south of the border are concerning and it’s important we do not become a dumping ground for the breed, leading to unacceptable risks to public safety and animal welfare.

“We will be working at pace to bring forward necessary regulations to mirror the system introduced in England and Wales as soon as possible. We will continue to engage with key stakeholders going forward and to offer practical support to help owners comply with these new safeguards.”

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland (PHS), Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are working together with other partner agencies to investigate an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O145 identified through the analysis of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

As of 27 December 2023, 30 confirmed cases have been reported across England and Scotland since late July 2023, with most cases reported in December 2023. Fifteen cases are female (50%), with ages of all cases ranging from 7 to 81 years (median age of 35 years). For those with information available (n=19), 63% (n=12) have reported bloody diarrhoea, 58% (n=11) reported hospitalisation for their illness and 1 case developed HUS. One death has been associated with this outbreak.

Epidemiological and food chain investigations have identified links between some of the identified cases and a number of unpasteurised cheeses produced by a business in England.

As a precautionary measure, the FSA and FSS issued a product recall on 24 December 2023 for 4 cheeses. A further product was recalled on 27 December. UKHSA is continuing to follow up cases to identify any common links, including determining whether cases ate or came into contact with the recalled cheeses.

In addition to the above outbreak, UKHSA has also been working with partner agencies to investigate 3 other non-O157 STEC outbreaks across the UK since October 2023. These outbreaks have also been identified through WGS and include a different strain of STEC O145 and 2 outbreaks of STEC O26. The number of cases associated with these outbreaks varies from 15 to 44 reported cases. 

The driver of the general increase in non-O157 STEC case reporting has not yet been identified. However, analysis of the available information from questionnaires completed by cases, and the national distribution of cases, suggest that these identified outbreaks are all likely foodborne in origin and involve a variety of different sources. Investigations remain ongoing to identify the sources of contamination and implement risk management and public health protection actions.

Season Greetings
On behalf of everyone at REHIS,  we wish you a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to working with you again in 2024.

Please note that the REHIS Office will be closed from Fri 22^nd December until Wed 3^rd January 2024. 

(There will be a limited service on 27^th to 29^th Dec with some staff working from home on these dates)

Diary Dates for 2024

The Institute is delighted to advise that we have a great line up of events being planned for 2024 and here are some dates for your diary.

• Annual Forum – Wednesday 24th April 2024 (Hybrid event)
• Pollution update – Wednesday 22^nd May 2024  (MS Teams)
• Food update – Wednesday 5^th June 2024 (MS Teams)
• Health & Safety update – Wednesday 4^th September 2024 (MS Teams)
• Environmental Health update followed by the AGM – Friday 22 November (Hybrid event)
• Public Health & Housing update – Wednesday 27^th November 2024 (MS Teams)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Participants of the Institute’s CPD Scheme, will be aware that CPD submissions for calendar year 2023 require to be with the Institute by 31 January 2024. The submission and the supporting evidence can be submitted online via the members section of the website.  For guidance on the updated CPD scheme, please refer here CPD – REHIS

World leaders have reached a new agreement to tackle climate change with the proposed plan to reach net zero by 2050 at COP28 in Dubai.

Now known as the UAE Consensus, the document ‘calls on parties to contribute’ to efforts at bringing down emissions, and in turn air pollution. This includes ‘transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems’ in a ‘just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.’

However, the deal doesn’t compel countries to take action, and no timescale is specified.

The agreement includes global targets to triple the capacity of renewable energy like wind and solar power, and to double the rate of energy efficiency improvements, both by 2030.

It also calls on countries to accelerate low- and zero-emission technologies like carbon capture and storage.

COP28 was the 28th annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting, where governments discuss how to limit and prepare for future climate change. The summit took place in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was scheduled to last from 30 November to 12 December 2023, but overran by a day.

200 nations were represented in talks, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were among the world leaders to attend the beginning of the summit.

US President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping did not go, but both countries were heavily represented.

King Charles gave the opening address, warning that humans were carrying out a “vast, frightening experiment” on the planet.

Nearly 100,000 politicians, diplomats, journalists and campaigners registered for the meeting, making it the biggest climate conference ever held. This included around 2,400 people connected to the coal, oil and gas industries, which underlined concern about the influence of fossil fuel groups.

The French parliament has voted unanimously to ban single-use diposable e-cigarettes. The move is an attempt to protect young people drawn to their flavours, and to mitigate the environmental impact of the disposable products, known in France as “puffs”.

It still needs backing from France’s Senate and clearance from the EU Commission before it becomes law. If both approve the bill, the government said it hopes the ban will be effective by September 2024.

Legislators adopted the bill in a late-night vote on Monday with 104 in favour, zero against. The bill, supported by the government, will then move to the senate where it is expected to be adopted as well. It could go into effect by September 2024.

Disposable e-cigarettes differ from reusable vaping devices in that they are not designed to be refilled or recharged. Their small, non-rechargeable lithium batteries often end up in landfills. In the UK, a study last year by the environmental organisation Material Focus found that more than one million devices were being thrown out every week.

New Zealand and Australia have already implemented restrictions, with the former mandating lower nicotine levels and restrictions on vape shop locations near schools. Three years ago, the US food and drug administration cracked down on flavoured reusable e-cigarettes like Juul.

The UK, Ireland, and Germany are considering similar measure

Imported American confectionary containing ingredients that aren’t authorised to be used in UK have been seized from shops in England.

Large quantities of American candy and drinks aimed at children that are not compliant, including those containing ingredients banned in this country, have been discovered in shops in England.

Trading Standards officers at Staffordshire County Council uncovered the items as part of a two-week-long operation to tackle the sales of unsafe imported foods, where food labelling is not in English and allergen ingredients have not been declared.

Over 50 shops and stores were inspected during the operation, with many unaware the products on sale contained ingredients banned in the UK. 3,378 items were seized with a street value of £8,500

The pilot project followed a number of incidents and intelligence received by the Food Standards Agency, who funded the operation.

Meanwhile, in Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Officers have seized banned American candy from a store in Nuneaton. The products seized included Jolly Rancher and Swedish Fish sweet confectionery and Mountain Dew canned drinks. All contained unauthorised additive ingredients. Sixty-six packets of sweets and 57 cans of drink were removed from shelves.

Illegal imported products, not manufactured for the UK market and already identified and seized as they contain unauthorised ingredients  include:

• Mountain Dew canned and bottled drinks of many varieties
• Marinda
• Sunny D
• Swedish Fish
• Dubble Bubble
• Jolly Rancher gummies and hard candy
• Hot Tamales
• Twizzlers
• Lemonhead

The American imported items that have been seized contained the following unauthorised additives not manufactured for the UK market:

• Brominated Vegetable oil (BVO)
• E127, Erythrosine (shown on US products as Red 3) – this is allowed in cocktail cherries, but not in sweets
• Mineral Oil
• Bleached Flour

And the following, which are allowed in food but not in drinks:

• Calcium disodium EDTA (E385)
• Erythorbic acid (E315)

There is evidence that E127 or Erythrosine, which is shown on American products as Red 3 can contribute to triggering hyperactive behaviour especially in children and while it’s still allowed in cocktail cherries, it shouldn’t be in sweets.

Mineral oil carries the risk of contamination with other compounds, which in turn are capable of forming cancers.

Calcium disodium EDTA is allowed in food but not in drinks. In animal studies it’s caused adverse reproductive and developmental effects and in mice has been shown to contribute to cancer of the colon.

Additives are only authorised for use in the UK if they have been tested and proved to be safe for its intended use, in that particular type of food or drink; there is a justifiable technological need to use it; and its use does not mislead the consumer.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has also issued a serious warning to parents in the run up to Christmas.  Chief Executive John Herriman said: “The UK has high food standards but this very much relies on Trading Standards to help ensure what is on sale complies with the law.

It’s extremely worrying to learn that confectionary with child appeal is on sale in UK high streets, which could be linked to hyperactivity in kids, and even cancer. Trading Standards work extremely hard to remove dangerous products from sale, but the popularity of these items is being increased by videos on social media platforms, such as TikTok. The increase in demand means importers are sending these through our ports and borders in the millions, and these are then being widely distributed and ending up in retail stores and in the hands of children.

“We ask that all persons placing these products on the market, including the suppliers and retailers, take their responsibilities seriously in this matter and urgently remove items from sale that contain unauthorised ingredients.  If shop owners are unsure of what items are safe to sell, they should contact their local Trading Standards service for support and advice.”

When consumers are checking whether the goods for sale are American imports or not, the easiest way is to look at how the weight is recorded.  In the UK we use grams and millilitres and in America it is fluid ounce and ounce.  If the labelling shows American weights, it is an import and the food labelling needs to be compliant with UK laws, with no unauthorised ingredients in the produce.

Foodborne outbreaks and related deaths in Europe went up in 2022, according to EFSA and ECDC.

The 2022 One Health zoonoses report, published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), revealed the number of foodborne outbreaks and cases, hospitalizations and deaths was higher than in 2021. Deaths from outbreaks was the most in the EU in the past 10 years, with 28 caused by Listeria monocytogenes.

In 2022, 27 European Union member states and Northern Ireland reported 5,763 outbreaks, 48,605 illnesses, 2,783 hospitalizations and 64 deaths. A total of 108 outbreaks, 2,166 cases, 186 hospitalizations and one death were recorded in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Montenegro, Norway, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Switzerland.

EU outbreaks increased by 43.9 percent from 4,005 in 2021. Cases and hospitalizations also rose by 49.4 percent and 11.5 percent. Deaths jumped by 106.5 percent compared to 31 in 2021.

Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Spain accounted for three-quarters of the outbreaks. France had 1,861, followed by the Netherlands with 1,162, Belgium at 830 and Spain with 591.

In 2022, the highest number of outbreaks with unknown agents was reported to EFSA. Most of these were notified by Belgium and the Netherlands. Nine incidents had more than 100 cases.

Salmonella and Campylobacter

A causative agent was identified in 3,104 outbreaks. Salmonella remained the most frequent. Norovirus (and other calicivirus) was associated with the most cases at more than 7,300.

Salmonella was behind 1,014 outbreaks with 6,632 cases. Despite outbreaks jumping from 773 in 2021 the number of people sick in them declined from 6,755.

France, Spain, Poland, and Slovakia had the most while Bulgaria and Latvia didn’t report any. Belgium, France, Slovenia, and Sweden had large outbreaks with more than 100 cases. Salmonella Enteritidis was the main serovar reported, followed by Typhimurium and monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium.

In Spain, 34 Salmonella outbreaks were linked to egg products while it was 26 in Poland. One incident in Spain sickened 265 people.

Campylobacter caused 255 outbreaks and 1,097 cases – both up slightly from 2021. In Germany and Malta, it was the leading agent in outbreaks.

Listeria and E. coli

Listeria outbreaks rose from 23 to 35 and patients went up from 104 to 296. Italy had the two largest listeriosis outbreaks. The first involved 97 cases, all hospitalized, and five people died. The second had 43 hospitalized cases with one death. Implicated vehicles were broiler meat products and pig meat products, respectively. Finland reported two outbreaks in vegetables. The first involved eight cases with six hospitalizations and three deaths. The second continued from 2021 and was linked to pre-cut vegetables. In 2022, there were seven cases and two deaths.

STEC outbreaks jumped from 31 to 71 and cases numbers from 275 to 408. It was the most common causative agent in Ireland and Northern Ireland but France had 37 outbreaks.

E. coli O157 was associated with seven outbreaks, with others caused by O26, O104, O111, O113, O145, and O178. Poland reported a STEC O104 outbreak, involving 16 cases, five hospitalizations and one death. It is the first time this serogroup has been linked to an outbreak in Europe since 2011, when a large multi-country incident caused more than 3,000 cases, 50 deaths and 800 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome. The outbreak occurred in a school or kindergarten but the implicated food was not identified.

Toxins, viruses and parasites

A Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus outbreak was reported to EFSA for the first time by Italy. It caused 37 cases with 23 hospitalizations and five deaths. A cheese made from unpasteurized milk was identified as the source.

A total of 27 Shigella and 14 Yersinia outbreaks were recorded. Other bacterial agents included Aeromonas caviae, Enterococcus spp., non-toxigenic Vibrio cholerae and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

With 1,020, France contributed almost 90 percent of all outbreaks caused by bacterial toxins in the EU. Bacillus cereus toxins ranked first and was the causative agent in five outbreaks with more than 100 cases, reported by Spain and France. The largest had 383 sick people.

The largest outbreak caused by Clostridium perfringens had 950 cases and was in Portugal. It was linked to cooked RTE meat in temporary mass catering.

A dozen norovirus outbreaks in seven member states involved more than 100 patients each, totaling 1,606 cases. Three tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE) outbreaks were reported by Slovakia from raw sheep’s milk and cheese made from sheep milk.

The two largest Cryptosporidium outbreaks occurred in Sweden and had 107 and 75 cases, linked to a RTE salad and buffet meals. Seven Trichinella outbreaks were reported by Croatia, France, Italy, Romania, and Spain with 68 sick.

France had 55 histamine and scombrotoxin outbreaks in 2022 while Spain had 19. Ciguatoxin was identified in 11 outbreaks and mushroom toxins in seven epidemics. Denmark reported two lectin outbreaks, involving 99 cases.

For the first time since collection of data began, the number of strong-evidence outbreaks in restaurants, pubs, street vendors, and takeaway exceeded those in a domestic setting.

In terms of contributing factors, an unprocessed contaminated ingredient was reported in 41 outbreaks. Other issues included inadequate chilling or heat treatment, time storage or temperature abuse, cross-contamination, and infected food handlers.