archive
The Salt
FDA Rules Corn Syrup Can't Change Its Name To Corn Sugar
May 30, 2012 The FDA ruled that changing the name high fructose corn syrup to "corn sugar" would cause confusion. Makers of corn syrup say their product has unfairly received a bad rap and had asked the agency to allow the change almost two years ago.
Shots - Health News
Counterfeiters Exploit Shortage To Market Fake Adderall Pills
May 29, 2012 The FDA says fake Adderall pills are easy to spot: They're white instead of peachy-pink; and the packaging of the counterfeit pills is riddled with typos and misspellings — "aspartrte" instead of "aspartate," and "singel" instead of "single."
The Salt
Judge Sours On POM Wonderful's Erectile Dysfunction And Heart Disease Claims
May 22, 2012 A federal judge says POM Wonderful violated the law by making claims that led people to believe the juice could treat, prevent or reduce the risk of certain diseases. But the company is claiming victory because it will not have to clear its future marketing plans with the FDA.
Shots - Health News
FDA Delays Sunscreen Label Redo
May 16, 2012 Almost a year ago, the Food and Drug Administration proposed a slew of new rules to make the labels of sunscreens more helpful and realistic. To avert summer shortages, the agency has delayed implementation until December for most companies.
The Salt
FDA Launches Voluntary Plan To Reduce Use Of Antibiotics In Animals
April 11, 2012 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it will collaborate with the livestock industry to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal feed. But activists say a voluntary approach won't go nearly far enough to protect human health.
Shots - Health News
More Fake Cancer Drugs Turn Up In The U.S.
April 4, 2012 U.S. medical practices bought counterfeit medicine labeled as Altuzan from a foreign supplier, the FDA says. Altuzan, which is the Turkish brand name for the blockbuster drug Avastin, is approved for use in Turkey but not in this country.
Shots - Health News
FDA: Skin-Lightening Creams Pose Mercury Threat
March 9, 2012 Some skin-lightening cosmetics contain dangerous amounts of mercury, the FDA warned consumers. Though illegal to sell in the U.S., the foreign-made products are popular in communities where fair skin is considered a mark of beauty.
The Salt
Inhalable Caffeine Maker Gets Warning Letter From FDA
March 7, 2012 When the inhalable caffeine product, known as AeroShot, hit college campus stores back in January, it caused a buzz, not all of it euphoric. Now the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned the company that makes it about the labeling and safety of its product.
Shots - Health News
FDA Scientists Feel A Little Better About Where They Work
March 7, 2012 Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration are feeling more optimistic about the future of their agency than they were back in 2006, according to a survey just out from the Union of Concerned Scientists. But they still report concerns about outside pressures on the agency's decisions and policies.
Shots - Health News
Federal Judge Rules Graphic Cigarette Labels Violate Constitution
February 29, 2012 U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon in Washington ruled that a requirement for cigarette makers to put large, gruesome labels on their products violates free speech rights. Foes of the tobacco industry urged the Justice Department to appeal.
Shots - Health News
Popular Cholesterol Drugs Get New Warnings About Memory, Blood Sugar
February 28, 2012 Statins may also increase the risk slightly for high blood sugar and for developing Type 2 diabetes. People have also complained about memory loss and fuzzy thinking while taking the cholesterol-fighting drugs. Now the Food and Drug Administration wants that information added to the drugs' instructions.
Shots - Health News
Diet Drug Qnexa Gets Thumbs-Up From FDA Panel
February 22, 2012 In a reversal, a panel of experts is advising the Food and Drug Administration to approve Qnexa, a weight-loss pill, that was rejected in 2010. The potential benefits for overweight people exceed the risks, such as birth defects and increased heart rates, the panel determined.
Shots - Health News
Weight-Loss Drugs Face High Hurdles At FDA
February 17, 2012 The Food and Drug Administration will take a second look at a weight-loss drug it rejected in 2010. The decision to review Qnexa comes as the agency is rethinking how it judges weight-loss drugs. Though obesity is at epidemic levels, the FDA hasn't approved any new weight-loss medicines since 1999.
Shots - Health News
FDA Warns About Fake Avastin In U.S.
February 15, 2012 Counterfeit versions of diet drugs, Lipitor and a flu medication called Tamiflu have been found in this country before. But so far fake cancer medicines have been rare.
Shots - Health News
Consumer Groups Want Lead Out Of Lipstick
February 15, 2012 A consortium of consumer and environmental groups says there's too much lead in lipstick. The Food and Drug Administration says there's nothing to worry about.