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2010 budget for FDA invests substantially in food and medical product safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is requesting a budget of $3.2 billion to protect and promote the public health as part of the President's fiscal year (FY) 2010 budget - a 19 percent increase over the current FDA fiscal year budget.

7 May 2009

Contamination of seeds for alfalfa sprouts linked to salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice because the product has been linked to Salmonella serotype Saintpaul contamination.

26 Apr 2009

Certain ecologic factors increase bladder cancer risks

Persons drinking well water (as opposed to public supply) may be at an increased risk of bladder cancer, according to new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

26 Apr 2009

DNA of uncultured organisms sequenced using novel single cell genome sequencing approach

Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences have assembled high quality, contamination-free draft genomes of uncultured biodegrading microorganisms using a novel single cell genome sequencing approach.

22 Apr 2009

New nucleotide could revolutionize epigenetics

Anyone who studied a little genetics in high school has heard of adenine, thymine, guanine and cytosine - the A,T,G and C that make up the DNA code.

16 Apr 2009

Oral rehydration solution for diarrhea

Newer polymer-based formulations of oral rehydration solution given to treat diarrhoea may offer some benefits over older sugar-salt formulations.

14 Apr 2009

CDC reports progress in foodborne illness prevention has reached a plateau

The incidence of the most common foodborne illnesses has changed very little over the past three years, according to a 10-state report released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

12 Apr 2009

FDA warns consumers to avoid eating Strubs Norwegian style steelhead salmon

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned consumers not to eat Strubs Norwegian Style Sliced Smoked Steelhead Salmon in 300 gram packages because of potential contamination with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. L. monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and death.

7 Apr 2009

Chemical used to make fireworks found in powdered baby milk

Scientists in the United States have found traces of a chemical used to make fireworks and rocket fuel in powdered baby milk.

6 Apr 2009

Perchlorate found in powdered baby formula

A recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found trace amounts of perchlorate, an additive of rocket fuel and human thyroid disruptor, in powdered baby formula.

5 Apr 2009

Expert available to discuss consumption of products containing pistachios

Dr. Steven M. Marcus, executive director of the New Jersey Poison Information & Education System (NJPIES) at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School is available to provide comment on the Federal Food and Drug Administration warning issued today on the consumption of products containing pistachios.

1 Apr 2009

Protecting the public from food-borne illness and food associated hazards are main goal as addressed by food scientist

At the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Research Council (NRC) meeting held on March 24, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) food scientist Dr. Frank Busta addressed food safety gaps in the Food Protection Plan by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

30 Mar 2009

Microfluidic Systems granted U.S. patent for automated microfluidic DNA separation cartridge

Microfluidic Systems, a privately-held company, announced today that they were granted US patent number 7,491,527 for an automated microfluidic DNA separation cartridge.

30 Mar 2009

New drink targeted for diabetics, individuals with high blood sugar

Scientists in China are reporting development of a low-calorie, low-sugar vegetable juice custom-designed for millions of individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetic conditions that involve abnormally high blood sugar.

29 Mar 2009

Scientists develop new agents to fight superbugs

Experts from Queen's University Belfast have developed new agents to fight MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections that are resistant to antibiotics.

24 Mar 2009

Environmental cleaning intervention reduces MRSA in intensive care units

A rigorous environmental cleaning intervention can reduce the transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other multidrug-resistant organisms in hospital intensive care units (ICUs), according to a new study released today at the annual meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

22 Mar 2009

Nobilon's intranasal influenza vaccine begins phase I clinical development

Nobilon, the human vaccine business unit of Schering-Plough Corporation has announced that it has reached an important milestone with the initiation of its first-in-human clinical development program for SCH 900795, a new intranasal Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) for annual seasonal use.

15 Mar 2009

FDA shuts down a flour tortilla manufacturer for repeated violations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Del Rey Tortilleria Inc., Chicago, Ill., its president, and two general managers have entered into a consent decree of permanent injunction that prevents Del Rey Tortilleria from manufacturing and distributing soft-shell flour tortillas until the company obtains FDA approval.

8 Mar 2009

Mobile phones belonging to hospital workers covered in bugs

Mobile phone handsets belonging to hospital workers are covered in bacteria including the 'superbug', MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ).

5 Mar 2009

University at Buffalo designed ventilator can safely sedate ICU patients for less

A new, recently licensed medical device developed by University at Buffalo researchers would introduce into intensive care settings the powerful and effective method of anesthetizing patients that works so well in the operating room.

25 Feb 2009