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29 Jan 2012 21:05

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Biz: Why does the FDA keep seizing imported orange juice?

  • 14% of all foreign orange juice is apparently tainted source
  • » The seized OJ contained a banned fungicide: The Food and Drug Administration has had to step up its orange juice-seizing lately, because a common fungicide called carbendazim, which, mind you, is safe in small amounts, is showing up in some of the imported orange juice. (Initially, this was reported to be a blanket ban, though the FDA says they’re only testing orange juice.) Here’s the kicker, though, from FDA spokeswoman Siobhan DeLancey: “We don’t feel that this is a safety problem. This is more of a regulatory issue.” So basically, they’re seizing a crapload of OJ because it’s got a chemical that is apparently being poorly regulated. You would assume it’s dangerous to consumers, but it’s not. Wait … we’re not following this.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

12 Jan 2012 10:37

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U.S.: Why the heck did the FDA ban orange juice imports, anyway?

  • what Acting upon concerns first noted by the Coca-Cola company, the Food and Drug Administration banned imports of orange juice until further notice, which on its face sounds pretty dramatic.
  • why The beverage maker noted to the FDA their concerns that illegal fungicide might’ve gotten into the supply. High levels are unlikely, but the measure is precautionary. Sorry juice fans. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

18 Nov 2011 13:04

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U.S.: FDA decides against blockbuster breast-cancer drug Avastin

  • what A blockbuster drug for breast cancer, Avastin, lost its FDA approval to be used for that particular purpose. (It will remain on the market as a cancer drug for other uses — including colon cancer — and Medicare will still cover it for breast cancer usage.)
  • why Multiple studies have shown that the drug only helps shrink tumors a little bit, and the side effects don’t make up for that benefit, the FDA decided. The decision means that many insurance providers will likely no longer cover the drug, which is very expensive. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Jun 2011 14:05

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U.S.: FDA decides against controversial breast cancer drug

  • 6-0 vote to take the breast cancer indication off Avastin source
  • » Even though lots of people liked the drug, the FDA has decided that it shouldn’t be used to treat breast cancer. However, European regulators allowed its use (as long as it was with another drug) at essentially the same time — which begs the question, why would the FDA be taking a drug off the market that so many people felt so passionate about?
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

28 Jun 2011 13:50

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U.S.: Cancer drug might not be around much longer

  • Avastin saved my life…The studies are saying, they’re saying that people didn’t live for more than five months, you know. And there has to be other people like me that it works on.
  • Kerry Harrington, a breast cancer survivor • Arguing for the case for Avastin, a drug still being tested that treats breast cancer. The drug received accelerated approval for treating breast cancer, but now the FDA is backing away from allowing the drug for breast cancer treatment. This is mainly because Avastin has some pretty horrible side effects, like heart attacks and kidney damage. Many women are saying that the pros outweigh the cons — they’d rather deal with the side effects and know they’re treating their cancer. The FDA will decide after they hear testimony from patients and review other official data. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

21 Jun 2011 14:41

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U.S.: FDA issues graphic warnings to help smokers quit

  • Starting next year, cigarettes Will have to put warnings like this on all their packs. The graphic warnings will cover up about half of the pack — both front and back. (For a slideshow of the graphic images, check here.) They should hit around September of next year. While the FDA says that this will help people quit, others say smokers are already aware of the risk they take when they light up. It’s also worth noting that other countries have had much harsher warnings on their cigarettes for years, and studies have shown they’ve helped people quit smoking. Either way, tobacco companies aren’t happy with this, and neither are many smokers. What do you think? source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

15 Jun 2011 14:22

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Biz: FDA takes steps to make sunscreen more consumer-friendly

  • beforeSunscreen was pretty misleading. The SPF only referred to how well the sunscreen protected against UVB rays, completely neglecting the still-harmful UVA rays. There were also a few false claims on those bottles of sunscreen — mainly those calling it waterproof.
  • afterNew requirements will make sunscreens much more consumer-friendly. SPF will tell how well the sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays. Sunscreen won’t be called sunblock, nor will it be called waterproof or sweatproof — no sunscreen really is. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

27 Apr 2011 17:08

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Tech: FDA approves new anti-baldness robot, because why not?

  • Meet the new robot on the block: Big news for bald Americans — the Artas System has been approved by the FDA. It’s a contraption that you position over your scalp, which then uses a robotic arm to harvest your hair follicles. These are stored until they can be methodically re-implanted (using standard hair transplant means, we presume) into your scalp in areas where you’re a little thin. There is a catch, however — the device only works on people with black or brown hair. We think going with the shaved head look still sounds easier, and a hell of a lot cheaper, but hey! Medical science marches on. source
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Apr 2011 20:51

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U.S.: Ordering fast food may become more harrowing

  • NEW proposed FDA rules for calorie disclosure source
  • » The implications: Restaurants and vending machines that have more than twenty locations or units, respectively, would be required to post the caloric content of their foods. Menu cards would also bear a generic message about 2,000 calories being the recommended daily intake. This was actually a mandate in the Affordable Care Act that passed last year; the FDA proposal would just be the beginning of that enforcement. So, basically, you’ll have to start closing your eyes when you get to the counter at Carl’s Jr. (or, for our southern brethren, Hardee’s).
Posted by Chris Tognotti • 0 Comments • Permalink

01 Jan 2011 09:35

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U.S.: Protip: Sexual enhancement drinks really freaking dangerous

  • Soooooo … word of advice: If you end up on a site like this that sells a beverage-like product supposedly designed to increase your sexual stamina, do yourself a favor and don’t buy the drink, because it includes unsanctioned drugs that could lower your blood pressure. In case you’re wondering where we got the advice from, it’s from this guy named “Common Sense.” Also, the FDA pushed its maker into a voluntary recall. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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