FDA Calls Cheerios an “Unapproved Drug”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter to cereal manufacturer General Mills for claiming on its cereal box that Cheerios can help lower cholesterol, and saying on their website that “diets rich in whole grain foods can reduce the risk of heart disease.” The letter, dated May 5, called the above… Continue reading FDA Calls Cheerios an “Unapproved Drug”

Senate HELP Committee Approves Margaret Hamburg as New FDA Commissioner

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) announced that the Senate HELP Committee has approved President Obama’s nomination of Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, a former New York City health commissioner, as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. The approval process now moves to the full Senate.

Electronic Medical Records Coordinator Says Program Faces “Huge Challenges”

Dr. David Blumenthal has been named the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology as part of the economic stimulus package allocating more than $20 billion for a massive move to electronic medical records (EMRs). Dr. Blumenthal recently published a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine noting, as he starts his Washington job, that… Continue reading Electronic Medical Records Coordinator Says Program Faces “Huge Challenges”

Victory in Delaware! AAHF Makes a Critical Difference before the Delaware Board of Dietetics

AAHF board members and AAHF legislative director Tami Wahl recently became involved in a battle in Delaware over who had the right to guide and counsel patients about their nutrition. The Delaware Board of Dietetics proposed regulations that would have given only those with a Registered Dietician (RD) certification the right to dispense nutritional counseling,… Continue reading Victory in Delaware! AAHF Makes a Critical Difference before the Delaware Board of Dietetics

Finland Set to Impose Strict Curbs on Alternative Medicine—A Sign of Things to Come in Europe?

In mid-April, the Finnish health and social affairs ministry unveiled a proposal that only “healthcare professionals” should be allowed to treat mentally ill and disabled patients. The report went on to state that alternative therapies should only be offered under a doctor’s care to cancer, diabetic, pregnant women, and mental health patients. The Finnish health… Continue reading Finland Set to Impose Strict Curbs on Alternative Medicine—A Sign of Things to Come in Europe?