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FDA
Double-Check Nutrition Labels, Packaging May Be Deceiving
Earlier this week the FDA issued warnings to several food companies over their potentially deceiving product labels. One of the chief label issues: prominently indicating that the products are trans-fat free even though they still contain high levels of saturated and unsaturated fats. Products accused of this violation include salad dressing, ice cream, shortening, and even frozen fish.
FDA Requires New Labeling on Numerous Packaged Foods
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued violations to a number of food companies — among them, Nestlé, POM, Gorton's, and Diamond Foods — demanding they make changes to their product labels. The government agency is cracking down on health assertions, issuing letters to 17 companies for 22 products, alleging they violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Among the offenders?
Food Section Sampler — Feb. 10, 2010
- The FDA wants more realistic serving sizes on nutrition labels. — New York Times
- Can artisan distilleries break into the industry during these tough times? — Los Angeles Times
- Make long life noodles for Chinese New Year.
Pet Food Recall: FDA Recalls Merrick Beef Filet Squares
Be safe and keep these snacks away from your pets as the FDA issued a warning about Merrick Beef Filet Squares. If you still have the resealable package, check for a "Best By 11/19/11" date — those batches may be contaminated with Salmonella. To be on the safe side, if you're not sure when you bought the treats, and they look like this, discard and treat your pooch to something else instead.
Obama Administration Rolls Out New Food-Safety Website
President Obama's attempting to follow through on his promise to strengthen the country's food-safety system. At the Consumer Federation of America's national food policy conference this week, the Obama Administration premiered the new foodsafety.gov, a streamlined food site that gives consumers information regarding contamination issues and more access to food-safety resources. The user-friendly site aims to help consumers, who are concerned about recalls, keep tabs on food issues in their state, report problems immediately, and learn how to keep food safe, among other things.
Dead Frog Discovered in Diet Pepsi Can
How did a dead frog find its way into a Pepsi can? That's the seminal question at the center of the latest food safety gross-out. Fred and Amy DeNegri, a retired couple from Florida claim they discovered a dead frog in a Pepsi can, and have plans to take legal action.
FDA Takes a Closer Look at Tylenol
I've never been able to get a clear answer on whether Tylenol plus alcohol can harm your liver. Though acetaminophen can lead to liver damage when taken in large doses, many questions remain about its short-term dangers, particularly when combined with recreational drinking. Now, the FDA wants some answers.
Zicam Cold Medicine Pulled From Shelves
Earlier today, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning for consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, as well as adult and kid-size Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs.
The over-the-counter, homeopathic cold medicine contains zinc and can cause long-lasting or permanent loss of smell. Since 1999, the FDA has received 130 reports of loss of smell associated with these Zicam products.
FDA: Packaged Foods' Health Claims Make Them Drugs
Could the breakfast staple, Cheerios, be classified as a drug? That's what the Food and Drug Administration is claiming, based on the product's labeling that it's "clinically proven to help lower cholesterol." On May 5, the FDA sent a warning letter to General Mills, the maker of Cheerios, charging that the cereal's cholesterol-lowering health claims violate federal law.
Do You Use New Generation Birth Control?
I came across an eye-opening article recently about "third-generation" birth control, which includes products like the NuvaRing (approved by the FDA in 2001) and the birth control patch. According to the piece, new forms of birth control most likely come with a higher risk of blood clots and strokes, risks that the FDA has somehow not given much weight to.
The Mother Jones article told the scary story of 32-year-old mother of two, Jackie Bozicev.
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