FDA Works Toward Regulating Medical Apps

June 26, 2012 | by

In recent years, people are turning more and more to the Internet for health information and to “self-diagnose.” With an increasing variety of medical apps available for the iPhone, iPad, Android, and other mobile platforms, self-diagnosis has become even more accessible. Unfortunately, however, checking the boxes next to a variety of symptoms and waiting for a mobile device to spew forth a litany of potential ailments lacks the sensitivity and accuracy of a human diagnostician. Further, those who are not trained in medicine may misinterpret symptoms as erroneously relevant or erroneously irrelevant, leading to misdiagnosis.

Medical apps

FDA Turns Down Corn Refiners Association, Declines Use of “Corn Sugar” For High Fructose Corn Syrup

June 15, 2012 | by

In a recent communication with the Corn Refiners Association (CRA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to authorize the use of the term corn sugar for high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The CRA has been troubled in recent years by the increasingly negative image of HFCS, due in large part to amassing research that suggests the body may metabolize it differently than table sugar [see, for instance, 1,2]. They’ve responded to this negative press by launching a campaign called Sweet Surprise designed to cast HFCS in a positive light, and have also requested that the FDA allow product manufacturers to list HFCS as corn sugar on packages.

Corn sugar

Counterfeit ADHD Medication Common On Internet, FDA Warns

June 11, 2012 | by

While any pharmaceutical purchased online may be counterfeit, of poor quality, or both, the FDA recently warned consumers with specific regard to the prescription drug Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) [1].

Authentic vs counterfeit Adderall

Disney Bans Unhealthy Ads During Kids Shows

June 7, 2012 | by

Disney is getting a makeover in their programming. The happiest place on earth now wants to be the healthiest. Over the next few years, the company is doing away with all advertisements promoting unhealthy food choices on Disney television channels, websites and radio stations. Disney is the first major media company to introduce new standards for food advertising on programming targeting kids and families.

Disney healthy living

FDA Revises, Strengthens Sunscreen Regulations

June 5, 2012 | by

In an effort to ensure that consumers have the information they need to make wise sun protection choices, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced an updated list of sunscreen regulations [1].

Woman applying sunscreen