BOHS Legionella Conference 2026 to Mark 50 Years Since Outbreak

The BOHS Legionella Conference 2026 takes place in Manchester on 24 November, bringing experts together to discuss prevention and control.

Fifty years after a major outbreak led to the identification of Legionella, experts will meet in Manchester to consider why Legionella control remains a challenge and what can be done to prevent future cases.

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) Legionella Conference 2026 takes place on 24 November. Its programme will look beyond compliance, exploring how risks can be anticipated, designed out and controlled throughout the life cycle of water systems.

The 1976 outbreak transformed understanding of Legionnaires’ disease and the bacteria that cause it. Scientific knowledge has advanced considerably since then, including our understanding of the conditions in which Legionella can thrive. Yet the disease remains a foreseeable and preventable risk, and complex water systems can still be difficult to manage effectively.

BOHS, the Chartered Society for Worker Health Protection, brings an occupational hygiene perspective to the issue. That means focusing on identifying hazards, understanding exposure and preventing harm before it occurs.

The conference will bring together specialists from water safety, occupational hygiene and industry to discuss practical challenges in Legionella prevention and control. Confirmed speakers include Tom Laffey of ISHEM, whose session will examine Legionella risks from wet stone cutting and beyond, and Peter Priday of Compass Group, who will speak about the trials and tribulations of being a Responsible Person.

Jim Perry of Water Hygiene Centre will explain why water safety design reviews are critical, while Anthony Matthews of the Legionella Control Association will present a session on the organisation.

Together, the talks will consider risks at different stages of a water system’s life, from design through to day-to-day operation and the practical responsibilities of those managing safety.

The wet stone cutting session will also highlight how workplace health risks can be connected. Measures intended to control one hazard may create another if risks are considered in isolation. A broader approach can help organisations identify those links and make better-informed decisions.

BOHS Chief Executive Professor Kevin Bampton told That's Healh that new and novel causes of outbreaks may emerge as climate change affects conditions and people find different ways to use and conserve water and energy. 

He added that better understanding and knowledge are central to controlling the disease, making collaboration between practitioners, academics and regulators increasingly important.

The BOHS Legionella Conference 2026 offers those involved in water safety and workplace health an opportunity to share experience and consider how prevention can improve.

For further information and to book a place, visit the BOHS Legionella Conference 2026 website.

https://www.bohs.org

Can Sugar and Chocolate Cause Diabetes? The Facts

Does eating sugar or chocolate cause diabetes? Find out what the evidence says about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, blood glucose and diet.

It's an understandable question. Diabetes involves high blood sugar, so it can seem as though eating sugar must be what causes it. 

The reality is more complicated: eating sugar or chocolate does not directly cause diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. The body’s immune system attacks the cells that make insulin, and it is not caused by eating sweets or by someone’s lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it properly. Its causes are complex, and no single food is responsible. Diabetes UK

That does not mean diet is irrelevant. Sugary foods and drinks can contain a lot of calories. If someone regularly consumes more energy than their body needs, this can contribute to weight gain; living with overweight or obesity is one factor associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugar-sweetened drinks are also linked with increased risk. 

But that is different from saying that a bar of chocolate, or sugar on its own, causes diabetes.

Chocolate can still affect blood glucose levels in someone who already has diabetes. It contains carbohydrate, including sugar, which can raise blood glucose. The amount and effect will depend on the chocolate, portion size and the person. That is why people managing diabetes may find it helpful to check food labels and follow advice from their diabetes care team. Having diabetes does not automatically mean that all sweet foods must be banned.

For everyone, cutting down on sugary drinks and limiting foods high in free sugars can support a balanced diet and help protect dental health. The NHS advises that too much sugar can contribute to weight gain and tooth decay. It is sensible to look at overall eating habits rather than blaming one food. NHS

So, can sugar and chocolate cause diabetes? Not directly. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by diet, and type 2 diabetes has several contributing factors. 

Frequent sugary drinks and a diet that contributes to weight gain may play a part in risk, but chocolate alone is not the explanation.

If you are worried about your risk or have symptoms such as unusual thirst, passing urine more often or unexplained weight loss, contact your GP or NHS 111 for advice. Diabetes is diagnosed with a blood test, so it is better to get checked than to try to diagnose yourself. nhs.uk

Fake Weight-Loss Pens Warning: Five Checks Before Buying Medicines Online

A seizure of counterfeit weight-loss medicines in Birmingham has highlighted why checking an online pharmacy’s credentials matters far more than its slick website or tempting prices.

On 14 October, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), working with West Midlands Police, seized over 12,000 fake weight-loss pens from an industrial unit in the city. 

Worth approximately £2 million, the haul also included packaging for around 30,000 additional products.

For people seeking help with their weight, the warning is clear: convincing packaging and professional branding cannot establish whether a medicine is genuine.

Tim Duffield, Head Intelligence at the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit told That'sd Health: "We are tackling the organised criminal gangs whose illegal trade in unauthorised medicines puts people at risk of serious harm.

"Our officers seized around £2 million worth of fake weight loss medicines from a filthy warehouse on an industrial estate. These products have not been assessed for safety, quality or effectiveness, and there is no guarantee of what they contain or whether they have been contaminated with harmful substances.

"Retatrutide has not been authorised for use in the UK. Products being sold as retatrutide outside legitimate clinical trials are being supplied illegally and could pose serious risks to public health.

"We urge people to avoid buying weight-loss medicines from unregulated sources. Anyone considering GLP-1 treatment should speak to a healthcare professional and only obtain medicines from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription."

Boo Dhaliwal, pharmacist and chief executive of Pharmacy Planet, told us online pharmacies can make healthcare more accessible, convenient and discreet. However, patients need to understand the difference between a registered pharmacy and an illegal seller.

“If the trainers are fake, you've wasted your money. If the medicine is fake, you could be putting your health, or even your life, at risk,” he warns.

Counterfeit products may contain incorrect doses, undeclared substances or harmful contaminants. Their contents cannot be trusted, however closely they resemble legitimate treatments.

Before ordering medicines online, take these five precautions:

1. Check the pharmacy’s registration. For pharmacies in England, Scotland and Wales, use the General Pharmaceutical Council’s official register. In Northern Ireland, check with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. Never rely solely on a logo displayed on a seller’s website.

2. Expect a proper clinical assessment. Prescription-only weight-loss medicines require a valid prescription. A prescriber should assess whether treatment is appropriate, consider your medical history and discuss benefits and risks. Offers to bypass these checks are a warning sign.

3. Identify the business. Look for a registered pharmacy address and accessible contact details. Check that these match the regulator’s records.

4. Question unrealistic promises. Guaranteed results, unusually cheap treatments and pressure to buy immediately should prompt caution.

5. Avoid informal sellers. Do not buy weight-loss injections through private messages, unregulated social media accounts or other sellers whose credentials you cannot verify. The MHRA advises obtaining these medicines through legitimate pharmacies following consultation with a healthcare professional.

Safe online healthcare includes professional advice, appropriate prescribing and ongoing support. Those safeguards matter just as much online as they do at your local pharmacy.

If you suspect a medicine is counterfeit, seek advice from a pharmacist or doctor. Consult the MHRA’s #FakeMeds guidance and report suspected counterfeit products or side effects through its Yellow Card scheme.

https://fakemeds.campaign.gov.uk

Remembering Mia: A Call to Make Eating Out Safer for People with Allergies

Mia Shay St Hilaire was 12 when she died after drinking a milkshake contaminated with hazelnut residue.

At the inquest, the coroner concluded that a Twix milkshake Mia ordered at a Bermondsey café had been made in a blender that had not been cleaned after it was used to prepare a Kinder Bueno milkshake.

Mia had a nut allergy. She suffered a rapidly progressing allergic reaction and, despite extensive emergency treatment and care in intensive care, died in hospital on 30 August 2023.

It is difficult to imagine the grief her family continue to live with. Their account of Mia also makes clear that she was far more than the circumstances of her death. She was adventurous and curious about the world, loved music and played several instruments, including the flute, drums and guitar. 

She was learning Mandarin, Latin and French, and dreamed of travelling. Her family describe a young person who embraced life and its possibilities.

Following the inquest, Mia’s parents thanked the coroner for investigating what happened and called for changes to help protect people living with food allergies. 

They want a clear, comprehensive framework for allergy management, stronger guidance and training for local authority inspectors, better support and training for food businesses, and a dedicated allergy safety rating to help customers make informed choices.

A standard food hygiene rating can tell customers about a business’s hygiene standards, but Mia’s family say it does not show how well that business manages allergens. Their proposal is intended to give people with allergies clearer information when deciding where to eat.

There are practical safeguards food businesses can put in place. The Food Standards Agency advises businesses to keep allergen information accurate and up to date, train staff to handle allergy enquiries, and clean utensils and equipment between uses to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

For people with food allergies and their families, eating out should not have to mean accepting avoidable uncertainty. Mia’s parents hope that lessons from the inquest will lead to stronger protections and help prevent another family from experiencing such a loss.

Remembering Mia means recognising her love of music, learning and adventure, and listening to the changes her family are asking for in her name.

Mia's family are represented by specialist law firm Leigh Day https://www.leighday.co.uk

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Shock Figures Reveal 96% of us Aren't Getting Enough!

Millions of adults and children in the UK are falling short of the recommended amount of fibre in their diets. Government figures cited by Linwoods Health Foods suggest that 96% of adults consume too little, with average daily intake at just 16g, around half the recommended 30g.

The picture is similar among young people: 96% of 11 to 18-year-olds are also said to be missing the daily recommendation. 

Linwoods is highlighting this “fibre gap” with GP, author and television doctor Dr Amir Khan, who says that small, sustainable changes to everyday eating can help.

“Fibre is an essential part of a healthy, balanced diet, yet the vast majority of adults in the UK aren’t getting enough of it,” Dr Khan told That's Health.

“Small changes to our everyday eating habits can make a real difference.”

Fibre supports digestive health and feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut. It can also help people feel fuller for longer. Higher fibre intake has been associated with a lower risk of conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer, making it an important part of a balanced diet.

Linwoods says the average adult is around 14g short of the recommended daily amount. Its new Boost range includes Fibre Boost, designed to be added to foods people already enjoy. A 20g serving provides 8g of fibre: 4g soluble and 4g insoluble. Stir it into porridge, yoghurt, smoothies or savoury dishes, following the pack instructions.

Managing director Patrick Woods says the range was developed to make it easier to add fibre to everyday meals. The company advises starting with less than a full serving and gradually increasing the amount over one to two weeks. Mix it into food or liquid rather than eating it dry, and drink around 300ml of fluid with each serving.

There are plenty of other ways to boost fibre intake, too. Try choosing wholegrain bread instead of white, adding seeds to breakfast, eating more beans and other pulses, and including a wider variety of fruit and vegetables. Making changes gradually can help you find options that fit your usual routine.

Linwoods Boost products are gluten-free and suitable for vegan and vegetarian diets. The range is available at Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons, Holland & Barrett, Dunnes Stores, Whole Foods, Grape Tree, Ocado and Booths.

For product information or online orders, visit linwoodshealthfoods.com.

UKHCA conference to focus on protecting hearing in a changing world

The changing ways we work, listen to music and experience noise will be at the heart of the UK Hearing Conservation Association’s (UKHCA) annual conference in Manchester on 3 November.

Organised with the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), UKHCA 2026: Hearing Conservation – Making an Impact will bring together specialists from regulation, occupational health, audiology, academia and industry to explore ways to protect hearing at work and in everyday life.

The focus is shifting from measuring noise exposure to preventing harm through stronger risk management, effective hearing protection, health surveillance and public awareness. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will update delegates on its new workplace noise campaign, setting out the regulator’s priorities and what they mean for employers.

The programme also looks beyond traditional workplace noise. Sessions will consider recreational noise and young people’s hearing, ways to engage Gen Z with hearing protection, and how the World Health Organization’s Global Standard for Safe Listening can be put into practice at music venues and events.

Other topics include hearing protection effectiveness, the value of training, occupational health and audiology practice, safe noise exposure for hearing aid users, and the business case for noise risk management. The programme will also consider how case law has influenced claims for hearing damage.

The wider effects of hearing loss will be addressed too, including research into the association between hearing impairment and depression among older adults.

Clare Forshaw, UKHCA founder and director, told That's Heath that protecting hearing means understanding how people encounter sound, use protection and identify damage early. People should value their hearing before it is affected.

The conference will feature contributions from the HSE, RNID, the British Society of Audiology, the Ministry of Defence and Tinnitus UK, alongside researchers from UK and international universities.

For the first time, the event will also host the UKHCA Hearing Conservation Champions Awards, recognising people and organisations making a positive contribution to hearing conservation.

Professor Kevin Bampton, chief executive of BOHS, explained that noise-induced hearing damage is preventable, but effective prevention means treating hearing as worth protecting throughout working and wider life, not simply meeting compliance requirements. He added that collaboration between occupational hygiene, audiology, acoustics, occupational health, research and regulation is essential to turn knowledge into better prevention.

For the full programme and booking details, visit the UKHCA 2026 conference page.

https://www.bohs.org/

As a personal note even though I spent the six years in the mid to late 1970s in a noisy industrial working environment wearing hearing protection I still suffered some hearing loss.