Health and Trade: what hope for SDG3?

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

Emma Woodford, Founder and Director, Health and Trade Network (HaT)

Cross posted from Health and Trade Network

“… the forces of power, particularly corporate power, are impatient with what is adequate for a coherent community. Because power gains so little from community in the short run, it does not hesitate to destroy community for the long run.” ― Wes Jackson, Becoming Native to This Place

In case you had been asleep for the last ten days, last week in New York the UN finally ratified the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aiming to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

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Is Exxon the new tobacco?

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

From the late 1970s to the mid-80s, Exxon scientists worked at the cutting edge of climate change research, documents examined by Inside Climate News show. Exxon documents show that top corporate managers were aware of their scientists’ early conclusions about carbon dioxide’s impact on the climate. They reveal that scientists warned management that policy changes to address climate change might affect profitability.

Calls to toughen up Australia’s vehicle emissions legislation

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

Australia needs to improve lax fuel efficiency standards after the Volkswagen emissions scandal, reports The Guardian, or face the prospect of becoming a dumping ground for high-emissions vehicles, advocates have warned. Pressure is mounting on the federal government to tighten legislation governing vehicle emissions standards. Australia is the only advanced economy not to have limits on the amount of carbon dioxide vehicles can emit.

Coca Cola: what have they done for your community lately?

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

by Nicholas Freudenberg

Coca-Cola, the world’s largest maker of sugary beverages, has spent almost $120 million in the past five years to pay for academic health research, partnerships with major medical groups and community fitness programs aimed at curbing the obesity epidemic, reports the New York Times.

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Company will cut price of drug after accused gouging

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

Associated Press reports that the company that sparked an angry backlash after it raised the price of a drug for treating a deadly parasitic infection by more than 5,000 percent says it will roll back some of the increase. Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli that the new price would make Daraprim more accessible, although he did not say what the new price for the drug would be.

Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn Resigns Over Emissions Scandal

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

The Wall Street Journal reports that Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Martin Winterkorn resigned under pressure after the company admitted it cheated on U.S. emissions tests sparked massive losses of its market value and left it facing prosecution and potentially billions in fines. Winterkorn said he accepted responsibility for the irregularities but wasn’t aware of any wrongdoing on his part.

FDA for First Time Orders Major Cigarette Brand Pulled Off the Market, Sending Strong Message to Manufacturers about Complying with 2009 Law

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

WASHINGTON, DC – For the first time since being granted regulatory authority over tobacco products by a 2009 law, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today ordered a tobacco company (R.J. Reynolds) to pull a major cigarette brand – Camel Crush Bold – off the market. The agency acted under a key provision of the law that requires prior FDA review and authorization before tobacco companies market new or changed products.

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Hampton Creek targeted by USDA-controlled egg industry program

Posted on by Corporations and Health Watch

Michele Simon, Cross-posted from Eat Drink Politics

Hundreds of pages of disclosed communications from the American Egg Board reveal a coordinated two-year plan to undermine and attack Hampton Creek, the San Francisco-based food company, seen as a “threat” and “major crisis” to the egg industry.

AmericanEggBoard egg

Continue reading Hampton Creek targeted by USDA-controlled egg industry program