Disinfo: European countries without mandatory vaccine programs are more successful, vaccination causes autism

Summary

Vaccines cause autism. Vaccines are associated with high child mortality rates. Child mortality rates in Germany, where immunization is not mandatory, are lower by 6% and 10% as compared to Italy and Czech Republic, respectively.

Disproof

No evidence given for any of the statements. There is no correlation between vaccination and autism, and no correlation between vaccination and child mortality rates. The statistical data provided by the author is incorrect and do not correspond to the official data. According to the World Bank data for 2016, infant mortality rates in Italy (2.8), where immunization is mandatory, are lower by 0.4 points as compared to Germany (3.2). Further debunking at Myth Detector mythdetector.ge/en/myth/tbilisi-24-online-editions-conspiracy-theories-about-vaccination, .

publication/media

  • Reported in: Issue 87
  • DATE OF PUBLICATION: 06/11/2017
  • Outlet language(s) Georgian
  • Countries and/or Regions discussed in the disinformation: Italy, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany
  • Keywords: Europe, Conspiracy theory
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Disinfo: EU wants to ban information about the of country of origin on the food labels

EU wants to ban information about the of country of origin on food labels. This measure is applied in order to fight against the nationalistic tendencies in member states.

Disproof

The original text from Italian website Afffaritalini is about a quarrel between the European Commision and Italy, since Italy started to demand from producers to write on food labels where the product was produced and packed. According to the European Commission, the current approach is that the country of origin or place of provenance labelling on food is voluntary, unless its absence could mislead consumers. The Regulation introduces mandatory origin labelling for fresh meat from sheep, goat, poultry and pigs. As of 1 April 2015, with some exemptions, the Member State or third country where the animal was reared and slaughtered will appear on the label of such meats. For foods bearing origin indications, the country of origin or place of provenance of the main ingredients must also be listed if those ingredients originate from a different place than the declared origin of the finished product. For example, butter churned in Belgium from Danish milk could be labelled as "produced in Belgium from Danish milk." The application of these rules is subject to the adoption of implementing acts which have not yet been adopted by the Commission. Those rules intend to protect consumers from misleading origin indications and will ensure a level playing field between food business operators.

Disinfo: The West supported the terrorists during hostage crisis in Dubrovka in Moscow (“Nord-Ost attack”) in 2002 and in the school of Beslan, North Ossetia, in 2004

Russia and the West need to stick together in the fight against terror. We had the terrible experience after Beslan and Nord-Ost attacks. Why didn’t the West help Russia then? Why did the West support the terrorists?

Disproof

No evidence given, conspiracy theory. In an article written in 2005 Andrei Kelin, at that time a departmental director at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that "The political significance of the NATO-Russia Council became apparent for Moscow in the aftermath of the Beslan school tragedy of September 2004 in which 344 civilians, 186 of them children, died. The NATO-Russia Council was the first international body to adopt a statement resolutely and unambiguously condemning what had taken place as both a crime and a direct threat to our common security, shared democratic values and basic human rights and freedoms. It also confirmed its determination to intensify joint efforts to combat terrorism. At the time, we greatly appreciated the solidarity shown by the other NRC members as well as supportive statements from the NATO Secretary General." www.nato.int/docu/review/2005/Combating-Terrorism/NATO-Russia-Cooperation-Terrorism/EN/index.htm,

Disinfo: The US destroyed the European values and culture, so now Russia is the only flagship of the European civilization

Suddenly, it turned out that this Euro-Atlantic scheme imposed by the US has stolen the Europe itself, it has stolen the European civilization, European values, and suddenly it turned out that Russia is now the flagship of the European civilization.

Disproof

No evidence given, conspiracy theory. The European values are a keystone of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.