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Purpose Managers’ opinions regarding factors influencing the application of HACCP in the Italian HoReCa sector were investigated. Three main topics were analyzed: the general features of HACCP management, the difficulties linked to its application and Managers relations with Food Public Control system. Design/methodology/approach Surveys were taken of Managers of Restaurants/Hotel (Re/Ho) and Bars. The questionnaires were completed through personal face-to-face interviews, phone interviews and by email. Respondents evaluated their agreement/disagreement with the statements proposed on a Likert scale. Findings The results show HoReCa Managers perceive that the benefits derived from application of HACCP are greater than the costs. In addition they believe that it is impossible to achieve Food Safety without HACCP application. Managers also think that the high turnover of staff constitutes a great barrier to HACCP efficiency. Moreover, they believe that Food Public Control system provides elements that make it possible to continuously improve HACCP. Originality/value A contribution on the broad debate on HACCP applications in HoReCa.

Object of this preliminary study was the immune response to high or low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELMF) of non-atopic and atopic fertile women with uniform exposure to toxic compounds produced by traffic. Women were divided in group A (non-atopic, non-exposed to ELMF); B (atopic, non-exposed to ELMF); C (non-atopic, exposed to ELMF); D (atopic, exposed to ELMF). "In vitro" cell proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of atopic women (groups B and D) stimulated by phytohaemoglutinin (PHA) was reduced. The ELMF exposed women (groups C and D) showed lower levels of blood NK CD16(+)-CD56+ lymphocyte subpopulations and of "in vitro" production of interferon-gamma (both spontaneously and in presence of PHA) by PBMC, suggesting that ELMF reduces blood cytotoxic activity. Serum IgE of the atopic women exposed to ELMF (group D) was higher than that of the other groups. Linear discriminant analysis including serum zinc and copper (essential enzymes for immune functions), blood lead and urinary transtrans muconic acid, a metabolite of benzene (markers of exposure to traffic) and key parameters of immune functions (CD16(+)-CD56+ lymphocyte subset, serum IgE, interferon-gamma produced by PBMC in presence of PHA, stimulation index of blastogenesis) showed absence of significant difference between groups A and C and a marked separation of groups B and D. This datum suggests that ELMF have a greater influence on atopic women exposed to traffic than on non-atopic ones.