Development of a high-performance liquid chromatography method to assess bisphenol F levels in milk

Bisphenol F (BPF) is a bisphenol A (BPA) analogue. As an endocrine disruptor, BPF shows a similar BPA hormonal activity and greater endocrine effects. To assess BPF levels in milk a selective method based on solvent extraction with acetonitrile, solid-phase extraction (SPE), high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FD) system, was developed. The method showed high recovery values (from 97.60 to 107.16%), and good detection and quantification limits (LOD=0.03 μg/L; LOQ=0.1 μg/L). To validate the analytical method, quantitative analyses of n.20 milk samples of whole milk were preliminarily carried out applying a monitoring system based on the control of different stages of pasteurized whole milk processing at a dairy company. The proposed method is simple, sensitive, and might be suitable to detect BPF residues in milk processing. At the dairy company, the occurrence of BPF levels ranging from <LOQ to 2.956 μg/L was observed. Further analyses and better knowledge about the occurrence, toxicity, and exposure levels of BPF analogue in milk, particularly for vulnerable consumer categories, are needed.

EL CONSUMIDOR CON VULNERABILIDAD AGRAVADA COMO CATEGORÍA JURÍDICA Y SU RECEPCIÓN EN EL ORDENAMIENTO JURÍDICO CHILENO

The concept of vulnerable consumer and its recognition in Chile is developed. Through a doctrinal approach and the analysis of case-law, the protective nature of Consumer Law is examined; then the concept of vulnerable consumer and its recognition is verified; and, finally, consumer reinforced protection mechanisms are explained.

Concept 'vulnerable consumer' in EU and Serbian law

The subject of this paper refers to a special legal regime for vulnerable consumers protection. Special rules for their protection may be determined and applied only if the general term "vulnerable consumer" is clearly defined. Comparative legal research has shown that this requirement has not yet been met in a way that it is widely recognized as acceptable. However, the special term "vulnerable consumer", which is related to certain economic sectors, has been defined with more success. This paper explores the reasons which explain this and analyse the special legal protection of consumers in EU and Serbia on the example of an energy vulnerable customer. Based on examples of good practice, it is indicated that there is a lot of space for improving the position of vulnerable consumers if traders recognize the special needs of them and if they act responsibly and in accordance with the principle of good faith.

Vulnerable consumers, their health and urgent supply of electrical energy in Slovenian legal framework

The question of access to a cost-accessible source of electrical energy during the winter months is one of the pressing concerns of social security even in developed states. We will analyse the complex legal, health and economic issues that are connected with the notion of who a vulnerable consumer is as defined in the Slovenian Energy Code (EZ-1). We will do so by analysing the nature of electrical energy in the Slovenian legal framework and then by evaluating the legal solutions proposed for vulnerable consumers. Consequences for an individual’s health, with a focus during the winter months, will be assessed and a comparative overview of legal solutions will be performed. Lastly, we will argue that the current solution may well be economically untenable and that a revision might be in order.Vprašanje dostopa do stroškovno dostopnega vira električne energije v zimskih mesecih je tudi v razvitih državah eden od nujnih vprašanj socialne varnosti. Analizirali bomo kompleksna pravna, zdravstvena in ekonomska vprašanja, povezana s pojmom, kdo je ranljivi potrošnik glede na opredelitev v slovenskem Energetskem zakonu (EZ-1). Tega se bomo lotili z analizo narave električne energije v slovenskem pravnem okviru in nato z oceno zakonskih rešitev, ki so predlagane za ranljive potrošnike. Ocenili bomo posledice za zdravje posameznika, s poudarkom na zimskih mesecih, in podali primerjalni pregled zakonskih rešitev. Sklepno bomo trdili, da bi bila sedanja rešitev lahko ekonomsko nevzdržna, zato bi bila priporočljiva sprememba zakonodaje.

CROSS-BORDER CONSUMPTION AND BRAZILIAN LAW

The purchase of a product or service by a consumer directly abroad and the remote consumption of goods are the two main ways in which transnational consumption occurs. This new contractual dynamic – a direct result of the development of transport and communication facilities - has consequences not only for consumer protection but also for trade law. It demands from doctrine, courts and legislators an effort to solve problems arising therefrom. Important lessons can be learned from the application of economic theory to law among the difficulties to fit private international law to constitutional principles. New paradigms proposed by the courts in recent years brought great expectations in the national legal system to the evolution of consumer protection concerning international trade. Theoretical developments are now necessary to elaborate regulatory proposals under trademark and corporate law - with particular attention to financial institutions - so as to grant greater protection to the vulnerable consumer assuring security and predictability to the system, which are essential to the correct operation of the market.

CROSS-BORDER CONSUMPTION AND BRAZILIAN LAW

The purchase of a product or service by a consumer directly abroad and the remote consumption of goods are the two main ways in which transnational consumption occurs. This new contractual dynamic – a direct result of the development of transport and communication facilities - has consequences not only for consumer protection but also for trade law. It demands from doctrine, courts and legislators an effort to solve problems arising therefrom. Important lessons can be learned from the application of economic theory to law among the difficulties to fit private international law to constitutional principles. New paradigms proposed by the courts in recent years brought great expectations in the national legal system to the evolution of consumer protection concerning international trade. Theoretical developments are now necessary to elaborate regulatory proposals under trademark and corporate law - with particular attention to financial institutions - so as to grant greater protection to the vulnerable consumer assuring security and predictability to the system, which are essential to the correct operation of the market.

CROSS-BORDER CONSUMPTION AND BRAZILIAN LAW

The purchase of a product or service by a consumer directly abroad and the remote consumption of goods are the two main ways in which transnational consumption occurs. This new contractual dynamic – a direct result of the development of transport and communication facilities - has consequences not only for consumer protection but also for trade law. It demands from doctrine, courts and legislators an effort to solve problems arising therefrom. Important lessons can be learned from the application of economic theory to law among the difficulties to fit private international law to constitutional principles. New paradigms proposed by the courts in recent years brought great expectations in the national legal system to the evolution of consumer protection concerning international trade. Theoretical developments are now necessary to elaborate regulatory proposals under trademark and corporate law - with particular attention to financial institutions - so as to grant greater protection to the vulnerable consumer assuring security and predictability to the system, which are essential to the correct operation of the market.

Consumer-citizens mobilizing social capital following a natural disaster: effects on well-being

Purpose This paper aims to demonstrate how vulnerable consumer-citizens mobilize social capital following a natural disaster, showing how different forms of social capital contribute to well-being and resilience. Design/methodology/approach An embedded case study design comparing three different social networks is employed. Findings Understanding the active role consumer-citizens play in provisioning within social networks provides a deeper understanding of the important mechanisms that explain how different forms of social capital contribute to well-being. The three identified networks demonstrate different structural signatures composed of differing forms of social capital that arise following a natural disaster. Research limitations/implications Drawing on social capital theory, this study contributes to advancing transformative service research, providing implications for both theory and practice. Originality/value This study is one of the first to empirically compare networks in a natural disaster context, demonstrating the effects of bonding, bridging and linking social capital on well-being and community resilience. This study shows how social network analysis can be used to model network processes and mechanisms. Findings highlight the important role of social provisioning to vulnerable consumer-citizens as an alternate form of consumption.