The following is from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:  Walgreen Co. is voluntarily recalling certain lots of 13-oz. Walgreens Chocolate-Covered Raisins because the packages may contain Walgreens Bridge Mix with peanut, almond and soy ingredients. The error occurred when Walgreens Bridge Mix was mistakenly packaged with the Walgreens Chocolate-Covered Raisin labeling. Walgreens discovered...
Read more »

CEDAR RAPIDS – The Linn County Board of Supervisors today approved an ordinance prohibiting the sale of unregulated products containing nicotine (including nicotine delivery systems) without a retail cigarette or tobacco products permit. The ordinance also prohibits the sale of unregulated products containing nicotine and nicotine delivery systems, to minors.  The ordinance covers the...
Read more »

The following is from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: FDA approves first insomnia drug for middle-of-the-night waking followed by difficulty returning to sleep The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Intermezzo (zolpidem tartrate sublingual tablets) for use as needed to treat insomnia characterized by middle-of-the-night waking followed by difficulty returning to sleep. ...
Read more »

UI Health Care Marketing and Communications provided the following: IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa is part of a national consortium that has been awarded a five-year grant worth up to $35 million by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to improve drug manufacturing standards that could cut health care costs, create jobs,...
Read more »

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent the following: Kraft Foods Global, Inc. is voluntarily recalling three varieties of Velveeta Shells & Cheese Single Serve Microwaveable Cups with limited “best when used by” dates as a precaution due to the possible presence of small, thin wire bristle pieces. See more here: Kraft Foods Voluntarily...
Read more »

The following is from the Journal of the American Medical Association: CHICAGO – Persons with high cholesterol who received counseling regarding a diet that combined cholesterol-lowering foods such as soy protein, nuts and plant sterols over 6 months experienced a greater reduction in their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels than individuals who received advice...
Read more »

IOWA CITY – An Iowan in need of a heart transplant has received an artificial heart – a surgery that marks a first for the state. Tom Moore, spokesman for University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, announced Monday, July 11, that the hospital successfully completed its first implant of the device, called the SynCardia...
Read more »

UPDATED 8:15 a.m. Wednesday with dollar amounts and Iowa Legislature comments provided by reporter James Q. Lynch: Representatives of Iowa public health agencies and advocacy groups hailed the new graphic warning labels required to be displayed on cigarette packages.  “We’re very excited,” said Jill Roeder, manager of Linn County Public Health’s Healthy Behaviors branch. “This...
Read more »

On June 14, 2011 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new requirements for sunscreens currently sold over-the-counter.  According to the FDA, the requirements support the Agency’s ongoing efforts to ensure that sunscreens meet modern-day standards for safety and effectiveness. The new requirements, as well as several proposed changes for future rules, are...
Read more »

The following is from the FDA and FTC: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today announced a joint effort to remove products from the market that make unproven claims to treat, cure, and prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Among the products targeted in today’s action are Medavir,...
Read more »