FDA Panel Warns of Diabetes Drug’s Safety
Jul 14, 2010 by Matthew Madia
A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel debated the safety of the diabetes drug Avandia today. In 2007, a study determined that Avandia raises the risk of heart attack in patients taking it. The drug’s safety and effectiveness have been hotly contested ever since.
read in fullObama Presses Senate on Food Safety Bill
Jul 8, 2010 by Matthew Madia
President Obama yesterday gently reminded the U.S. Senate that food safety reform is still on their agenda, and that Senators may want to pass legislation in order to expand protections for the food supply.
read in fullFDA Must Consider Ruling on Plastics Chemical, Environmental Group Says
Jul 2, 2010 by Matthew Madia
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is suing the Food and Drug Administration with the hopes of forcing the agency to regulate bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical commonly found in hard plastics (like reusable water and baby bottles), the lining of food and beverage containers, and other everyday products. Exposure to BPA has been linked to developmental disorder, cancer, heart diseases, and other health problems.
read in fullFood Safety Nominee Clears Senate Panel
Jul 1, 2010 by Matthew Madia
The nomination of Elisabeth Hagen to serve as the USDA’s top food safety official took a major step forward yesterday when the Senate Agriculture Committee approved Hagen by voice vote.
read in fullObama Addresses Food Safety Concerns in the Gulf
Jun 15, 2010 by Matthew Madia
The Obama administration is attempting to reassure Americans that seafood from the Gulf of Mexico is safe to eat amid the BP-Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster. President Obama discussed food safety yesterday during a trip to the Gulf. "Let me be clear: Seafood from the Gulf today is safe to eat," Obama said.
read in fullWill USDA’s Food Safety Agency Ever Have a Leader?
Jun 3, 2010 by Matthew Madia
Food Safety News reports today that there is no timetable for moving the nomination of Elisabeth Hagen to the Senate floor. Hagen, currently the chief medical officer at USDA, is the nominee to lead the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the USDA agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat and poultry products.
read in fullFDA Proposals Advance the Transparency Agenda
May 21, 2010 by Matthew Madia
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today began a public comment period for 21 transparency proposals the agency is considering. The proposals are part of a larger report the FDA issued on Wednesday. From the FDA:
read in fullLettuce Contamination Prompts Harder Look at Precut, Bagged Products
May 18, 2010 by Matthew Madia
Bagged, precut lettuce may pose additional safety risks and challenges for regulators, the Washington Post reports. An ongoing E. coli outbreak connected to precut lettuce has sickened at least 23 people in four states.
read in fullMeat and Poultry Agency Struggles without Leader
Apr 28, 2010 by Matthew Madia
Without a Senate-confirmed head, rulemaking at the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has ground to a halt. FSIS, the agency responsible for ensuring the safety of meat, poultry, and egg products, made progress on only one significant regulation in the past six months, according to the semiannual Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions published Monday.
read in fullFDA Reviewing Policy for Conflicts on Advisory Panels
Apr 23, 2010 by Matthew Madia
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tweaking the way it treats advisory committee members who have financial conflicts of interest. FDA will require more detailed information on the financial interests of members who have been granted waivers to serve on committees despite a potential conflict, according to draft guidance released Wednesday.
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