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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

The Salt

FDA Rules Corn Syrup Can't Change Its Name To Corn Sugar

A sweetener by any other name ...

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.

Summary

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Shots - Health News

Counterfeiters Exploit Shortage To Market Fake Adderall Pills

If the label of ingredients on the Adderall pack says "singel entity," that's a tip-off for trouble.

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."

Summary

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Salt

Judge Sours On POM Wonderful's Erectile Dysfunction And Heart Disease Claims

POM products

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.

Summary

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Shots - Health News

FDA Delays Sunscreen Label Redo

Alivia Parker, 21 months at the time, ran through circles of spraying water on a hot day in Montgomery, Ala., last June. She was wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 100, a rating that won't be allowed much longer.

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.

Summary

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The Salt

FDA Launches Voluntary Plan To Reduce Use Of Antibiotics In Animals

The FDA's latest effort to end the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals is getting mixed reviews from activists.

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.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Shots - Health News

More Fake Cancer Drugs Turn Up In The U.S.

The FDA says so far it hasn't gotten any reports of patients receiving the fake Altuzan.

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.

Summary

Friday, March 09, 2012

Shots - Health News

FDA: Skin-Lightening Creams Pose Mercury Threat

One of the creams the Food and Drug Administration said contains mercury, a toxin that is an illegal ingredient.

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.

Summary

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

The Salt

Inhalable Caffeine Maker Gets Warning Letter From FDA

A woman holds an AeroShot inhalable caffeine device in Boston.

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.

Summary

Shots - Health News

FDA Scientists Feel A Little Better About Where They Work

A survey of scientists at the Food and Drug Administration finds they're feeling more optimistic about the integrity of decisions made at headquarters (seen here) and elsewhere in the agency.

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.

Summary

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Shots - Health News

Federal Judge Rules Graphic Cigarette Labels Violate Constitution

One of the cigarette labels a federal judge says goes too far.

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.

Summary

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Shots - Health News

Popular Cholesterol Drugs Get New Warnings About Memory, Blood Sugar

Lipitor, and other cholesterol-fighting drugs like it, will carry new instructions about risks.

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.

Summary

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Shots - Health News

Diet Drug Qnexa Gets Thumbs-Up From FDA Panel

A new weight-loss pill could be coming to the menu.

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.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Friday, February 17, 2012

Shots - Health News

Weight-Loss Drugs Face High Hurdles At FDA

The FDA hasn't approved a new weight-loss drug since 1999. In the meantime, Americans' waistlines have continued to grow.

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.

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On Morning EditionPlaylist

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

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.

Summary

Shots - Health News

Consumer Groups Want Lead Out Of Lipstick

Time to get the lead out?

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.

Summary

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