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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Salt

In Raw Milk Case, Activists See Food Freedom On Trial

Supporters say Wisconsin farmer Vernon Hershberger's trial isn't just about raw milk: It's also, they say, about the right to get foods from farmers without government intervention.

May 22, 2013 Activists say the case against Wisconsin dairy farmer Vernon Hershberger is about raw milk — and much more. His supporters have turned the case into a rallying cry for personal food freedom and the rights of farmers and consumers to enter into private contracts without government intervention.

Summary

Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Salt

Tiny Mites Spark Big Battle Over Imports Of French Cheese

Microscopic bugs called cheese mites are responsible for giving Mimolette its distinctive rind and flavor.

May 11, 2013 Microscopic bugs called cheese mites are responsible for the distinctive rind and flavor of the bright orange French cheese Mimolette. But now, the FDA has blocked more than a ton of Mimolette from entering the country, because the agency says the mites left on it make it unfit for consumption.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

Shots - Health News

Judge Denies Administration's Request To Delay Plan-B Ruling

U.S. District Judge Korman of New York is steamed about the administration's handling of the Plan B One-Step morning-after pill.

May 10, 2013 Iin denying the government's motion for a stay, U.S. District Court Judge Korman, who has overseen the case since 2005, also laid out several substantive problems with the situation that last week's approval by the Food and Drug Administration created.

Summary

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Shots - Health News

FDA OKs Prescription-Free Plan B Pill For Women 15 And Up

The Plan B One-Step morning-after pill will now be available to women as young as 15 without a prescription.

April 30, 2013 Under the proposal, teenagers below 15 would now need a prescription to purchase the morning-after pill. That age was previously 17. The plan would also allow the product to be sold on retail shelves, rather than behind the pharmacy counters, with age to be verified by cashiers rather than pharmacy staff.

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Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Shots - Health News

Recalls Of Dietary Supplements Highlight Mystery Ingredients

A selection of dietary supplements declared "tainted" by the FDA

April 23, 2013 More than 200 dietary supplements have been recalled in recent years because they contain drugs that aren't listed on the label, an analysis finds. The ingredients are potentially harmful, researchers say.

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Friday, April 05, 2013

Shots - Health News

Federal Judge Strikes Down Restrictions On Plan B

Plan B is one of two emergency contraceptives available in the U.S.

April 5, 2013 The ruling could end a more than decade-long battle that has spanned two administrations. The decision overturns a controversial 2011 action by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius overruling the Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow sale of morning-after pill without a prescription or regard for a person's age.

Summary

Thursday, April 04, 2013

Shots - Health News

FDA: 'Ninja Mojo' And 'Love Rider' Contain Hidden Drugs

The Food and Drug Administration says its tests have found undeclared drug ingredients in supplements marketed for the enhancement of sexual performance.

April 4, 2013 The Food and Drug Administration says it can't keep up with all the dietary supplements that claim to enhance sexual performance. Many have been found to contain potentially harmful ingredients, so the agency is warning people to beware of the entire bunch.

Summary

Friday, February 15, 2013

Shots - Health News

Popular Workout Booster Draws Safety Scrutiny

Some sports supplements contain the ingredient DMAA. The FDA has warned that DMAA may not be safe.

February 15, 2013 Exercise buffs who take dietary supplements with the ingredient know as DMAA say the stimulant gives them a boost of energy. But some researchers and the Food and Drug Administration are worried that these products could be dangerous.

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Friday, January 25, 2013

Shots - Health News

FDA Advisers Favor Limits On Vicodin

An FDA advisory panel voted to increase controls on painkillers containing hydrocodone, such as this generic version of Vicodin.

January 25, 2013 Painkillers containing the drug hydrocodone have provided relief to many in pain. But a panel recommended the federal government place restrictions on access to the drugs to lessen the odds of addiction.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Shots - Health News

Painkiller Paradox: Feds Struggle To Control Drugs That Help And Harm

Carolyn Tuft and her daughter Kirsten (seen here in 2005) were the victims of a shooting at a Salt Lake City mall in 2007. Kirsten was one of five bystanders killed, and Carolyn was left in severe pain.

January 23, 2013 Prescription drugs like Vicodin have provided much-needed relief for many people suffering from pain. But these painkillers can be addictive, and they kill thousands each year. Doctors and regulators are looking into how to limit access to the drugs without causing more suffering for pain patients.

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Friday, January 18, 2013

Shots - Health News

A Worm's Ovary Cells Become A Flu Vaccine Machine

The fall armyworm, a corn pest, is now also a vaccine factory.

January 18, 2013 The Food and Drug Administration just approved a flu vaccine made by cells taken from the fall armyworm, an agricultural pest. The cells produce copies of a piece of the flu virus's outer coat that primes the immune system. Conventional vaccines use the whole virus and take longer to produce.

Summary

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Shots - Health News

Pictures May Speak Louder Than Words When It Comes To Smoking

A cigarette warning label image approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

January 15, 2013 Researchers found that graphic warning labels had a greater impact on smokers' intentions to quit than written warnings. Reactions to the visual warnings were similar across racial and income groups, which researchers say is important because of higher rates of tobacco-related disease among some minorities and the poor.

Summary

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Shots - Health News

Wake-Up Call: FDA Pushes Drugmakers To Weaken Sleeping Pills

The active ingredient in Ambien stays in the body longer than thought, FDA officials say.

January 10, 2013 The active ingredient in many sleep aid medications like Ambien stays in the body longer than had been thought, which could leave people drowsy the next day. So the Food and Drug Administration is ordering pharmaceutical companies to change the labeling on drugs containing the ingredient zolpidem.

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Friday, January 04, 2013

The Salt

FDA Releases Rules To Strengthen Safety Of Food Supply

Farmworkers like these in California picking produce may soon be required by the FDA to take more precautions against spreading foodborne illness.

January 4, 2013 Two years after a food safety bill became law, the FDA issues a rule to prevent foodborne illness in produce and one to require food manufacturers to have plans in place to prevent contamination. Foodborne illness sickens about 48 million Americans each year.

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On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

Monday, December 03, 2012

Shots - Health News

Social Media Help Diabetes Patients (And Drugmakers) Connect

Cameron Harris, who has had Type 1 diabetes since he was 8 years old, explains the ins and outs of using glucagon for blood sugar lows. Harris hosts a video podcast series called "In Range" on YouTube.

December 3, 2012 The number of Americans with diabetes is set to skyrocket in the next 40 years. Social media has given patients an online support network and information repository for dealing with their disease. Big drug companies are hopping on the bandwagon as well.

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