What Do Unions Do for Economic Performance?

Twenty years have passed since Freeman and Medoff's What Do Unions Do? This essay assesses their analysis of how unions in the U.S. private sector affect economic performance - productivity, profitability, investment, and growth. Freeman and Medoff are clearly correct that union productivity effects vary substantially across workplaces. Their conclusion that union effects are on average positive and substantial cannot be sustained, subsequent evidence suggesting an average union productivity effect near zero. Their speculation that productivity effects are larger in more competitive environments appears to hold up, although more evidence is needed. Subsequent literature continues to find unions associated with lower profitability, as noted by Freeman and Medoff. Unions are found to tax returns stemming from market power, but industry concentration is not the source of such returns. Rather, unions capture firm quasi-rents arising from long-lived tangible and intangible capital and from firm-specific advantages. Lower profits and the union tax on asset returns leads to reduced investment and, subsequently, lower employment and productivity growth. There is little evidence that unionization leads to higher rates of business failure. Given the decline in U.S. private sector unionism, I explore avenues through which individual and collective voice might be enhanced, focusing on labor law and workplace governance defaults. Substantial enhancement of voice requires change in the nonunion sector and employer as well as worker initiatives. It is unclear whether labor unions would be revitalized or further marginalized by such an evolution

Green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Zespri International Limited, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Belgium, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to green kiwifruit (lat. Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under a health claim based on newly developed scientific evidence. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is green kiwifruit. The Panel considers that green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is 'maintenance of normal defecation'. Maintenance of normal defecation is a beneficial physiological effect provided that it does not result in diarrhoea. All human intervention studies submitted had different limitations and could not be used on their own for the scientific substantiation of the claim. However, the results of six pertinent human intervention studies are consistent with respect to an effect of consuming daily between two and four green kiwifruits var. Hayward on an increase in stool frequency. Two out of four studies in which a validated instrument was used to assess stool consistency showed an effect also on stool consistency. There is evidence for a plausible mechanism by which kiwifruit could exert an effect on normal defecation. The consumption of kiwifruit in the studies did not result in diarrhoea. A cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of green kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa var. Hayward) and maintenance of normal defecation. The following wordings reflect the scientific evidence: 'consumption of kiwifruit contributes to the maintenance of normal defecation'. In order to obtain the claimed effect, two large green kiwifruits (i.e. around 200 g of kiwi flesh) should be consumed

Joselito® and lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration, blood pressure, and reduction of coronary heart disease risk: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

AbstractFollowing an application from Cárnicas Joselito S.A. pursuant to Article 14 ofRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Spain, the Panel onNutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinionon the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to ‘Joselito ham increasesantioxidant substances in the body, reduces blood pressure and plasma triglycerides,decreases oxidative stress and prevents effect in diseases related to the cardiovascularand intestinal systems’. The scope of the application was proposed to fall under ahealth claim referring to disease risk reduction. The food constituent that is thesubject of the health claim is Joselito, an Iberian ham characterised by a high con-tent of oleic acid. The Panel considers that the food is sufficiently characterised.The Panel considers that lowering of LDL-cholesterol concentration and bloodpressure is a beneficial effect by decreasing the risk of coronary heart disease.Upon a request from EFSA, the applicant identified one human intervention studyas being pertinent to the claim. However, due to methodological limitations, thePanel considers that no conclusions can be drawn from this study for the scientificsubstantiation of the claim. The Panel notes that no human intervention studiesfrom which conclusions could be drawn for the scientific substantiation of theclaim were provided by the applicant. The Panel concludes that a cause and effectrelationship has not been established between the intake of Joselito® ham and thereduction of LDL-cholesterol concentration or blood pressure

Scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver scientific advice related to nutrient profiling for the development of harmonised mandatory front‐of‐pack nutrition labelling and the setting of nutrient profiles for restricting nutrition and health claims on foods. This Opinion is based on systematic reviews and meta‐analyses of human studies on nutritionally adequate diets, data from the Global Burden of Disease framework, clinical practice guidelines, previous EFSA opinions and the priorities set by EU Member States in the context of their Food‐Based Dietary Guidelines and associated nutrient/food intake recommendations. Relevant publications were retrieved through comprehensive searches in PubMed. The nutrients included in the assessment are those likely to be consumed in excess or in inadequate amounts in a majority of European countries. Food groups with important roles in European diets have been considered. The Panel concludes that dietary intakes of saturated fatty acids (SFA), sodium and added/free sugars are above, and intakes of dietary fibre and potassium below, current dietary recommendations in a majority of European populations. As excess intakes of SFAs, sodium and added/free sugars and inadequate intakes of dietary fibre and potassium are associated with adverse health effects, they could be included in nutrient profiling models. Energy could be included because a reduction in energy intake is of public health importance for European populations. In food group/category‐based nutrient profiling models, total fat could replace energy in most food groups owing to its high‐energy density, while the energy density of food groups with low or no fat content may be well accounted for by the inclusion of (added/free) sugars. Some nutrients may be included in nutrient profiling models for reasons other than their public health importance, e.g. as a proxy for other nutrients of public health importance, or to allow for a better discrimination of foods within the same food category

‘Citicoline’ and support of the memory function: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

AbstractFollowing an application from Egde Pharma Sp. z o.o, submitted for authorisa-tion of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006via the Competent Authority of Poland, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foodsand Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific sub-stantiation of a health claim related to citicoline and memory. The Panel considersthat the food, citicoline (cytidine 5-diphosphocholine, CDP- Choline) inner salt, issufficiently characterised. Improvement, maintenance or reduced loss of memoryis a beneficial physiological effect for middle-aged or elderly adults encounter-ing age-associated subjective memory impairment. The applicant identified threepertinent human intervention studies in healthy individuals that investigated theeffect of citicoline on memory. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into ac-count that only one randomised controlled trial in healthy participants showed abeneficial effect of citicoline on episodic memory when consumed at doses of 500mg/day for 12 weeks, whereas this effect has not been observed in another studyusing citicoline at doses of 1 g/day for 3 months or supported by data obtainedin patients with dementia using doses of 1 g/day for 12 weeks and 12 months. Noconvincing evidence of a plausible mechanism by which citicoline or any of itscomponents (in addition to their endogenous synthesis) could exert an effect onmemory in humans has been provided. The Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of citico-line (CDP- Choline) inner salt and improvement, maintenance or reduced loss ofmemory in middle-aged or elderly adults encountering age-associated subjectivememory impairment

Symbiosal^®and lowering of blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension:evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Han-Biotech GmbH, submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Symbiosal® , lowering of blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension. The Panel considers that the food, Symbiosal® , which is the subject of the health claim, and the food, table salt, which Symbiosal® should replace, are sufficiently characterised. Lowering of blood pressure is a beneficial physiological effect. Increased blood pressure is a risk factor for hypertension. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that one human study with some methodological limitations showed an effect of Symbiosal® on blood pressure in the context of a self-selected diet with a maximum of 3 g/day added salt. The Panel also took into account that no other human studies in which these results have been replicated were provided, that the animal studies did not support the results of the human study, that no evidence was provided in support of a mechanism by which Symbiosal® could induce a decrease in blood pressure upon oral consumption as compared to table salt in vivo in humans, and the low biological plausibility of the effect observed in the human intervention study. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Symbiosal® and lowering of blood pressure. </p

NWT-02, a fixed combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk and reduction of the loss of vision:evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Newtricious R&amp;D B.V., submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of the Netherlands, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to NWT-02 and a reduction of the loss of vision. The food proposed by the applicant as the subject of the health claim is NWT-02. NWT-02 is standardised by its content in lutein (≥ 1.10 mg), zeaxanthin (≥ 0.20 mg) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (≥ 170 mg). The Panel considers that the food/constituent that is the subject of the health claim, NWT-02, a fixed combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk, is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is ‘reduces loss of vision’. The target population proposed by the applicant is ‘healthy adults over 50 years of age’. The Panel considers that a reduction of the loss of vision is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant provided two human intervention studies for the scientific substantiation of the claim. The Panel considers that the only study from which conclusions can be drawn for the scientific substantiation of the claim did not show an effect of NWT-02 on vision. The Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of NWT-02, a fixed combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk, and a reduction of the loss of vision.</p

L-carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism:evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Lonza Ltd., submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panelon Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to L-carnitine and normal lipid metabolism. The food that is proposed as the subject of the health claim is L-carnitine. The Panelconsiders that L-carnitine is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is normal lipid metabolism'. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population. The Panelconsiders that contribution to normal lipid metabolism is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant proposes that the claim submitted with this application is based on the essentiality of a nutrient. The Panelconsiders that the evidence provided does not establish that dietary L-carnitine is required to maintain normal lipid metabolism in the target population, for which the claim is intended. The Panelconcludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism in the target population

L-carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism : evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following an application from Lonza Ltd., submitted for authorisation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No1924/2006 via the Competent Authority of Germany, the EFSA Panelon Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to L-carnitine and normal lipid metabolism. The food that is proposed as the subject of the health claim is L-carnitine. The Panelconsiders that L-carnitine is sufficiently characterised. The claimed effect proposed by the applicant is normal lipid metabolism'. The target population proposed by the applicant is the general population. The Panelconsiders that contribution to normal lipid metabolism is a beneficial physiological effect. The applicant proposes that the claim submitted with this application is based on the essentiality of a nutrient. The Panelconsiders that the evidence provided does not establish that dietary L-carnitine is required to maintain normal lipid metabolism in the target population, for which the claim is intended. The Panelconcludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of L-carnitine and contribution to normal lipid metabolism in the target population. (c) 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Peer reviewe