By

FDA Guides on General Wellness and Low Risk Devices

FDA , , , ,
On January 20, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a proposed guidance document regarding the FDA’s current position on low risk devices and general wellness products. This guidance document directs the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) to deal with inquires from manufacturers asking whether or not their products qualify as “devices” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA). Devices are defined in section 201(h) of the FDCA as an “instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, in vitro reagent, or other similar or related article, including any component, part, or accessory, which is ...intended…
Read More
By

FDA Publishes Food Allergen Labeling Guidelines

FDA , , , , , ,
On May 8, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its "Draft Guidance for Industry: Food Allergen Labeling Exemption Petitions and Notifications." The draft guidance represents current thinking on the topic as previously discussed through the release of the October 2006 "Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding Food Allergens, including the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (Edition 4); Final Guidance." The guidance provides the FDA's answers to commonly asked questions concerning the notification process for those seeking exemptions from the labeling of food allergens and updates the responses in the 2006 document. You…
Read More
By

FDA Publishes Draft Guidance on Honey Labeling

FDA , , , , ,
On April 11, 2014, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a draft guidance document, entitled “Draft Guidance for Industry: Proper Labeling of Honey and Honey Products” (“Guidance”). The Guidance provides industry with guidelines on how to properly label honey and related products in order to ensure that these products are not labeled in a misleading manner pursuant to the requirements of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FFDCA”) and accompanying FDA regulations. The Guidance sets forth the Agency’s current thinking pertaining to honey labeling. In particular, the FDA notes the proper uses of the term “honey” in…
Read More
By

FDA’s CFSAN Announces Plan for Program Priorities

FDA , , , , , , , , ,
On September 4, 2013, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN or the Center), a public health regulatory center in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), published its 2013-2014 Plan for Program Priorities. The plan outlines certain goals and objectives that CFSAN intends to achieve to improve food and cosmetic safety. You can read the 2013-2014 Plan for Program Priorities on the FDA’s website, available here. More specifically, the plan lists six goals: (1) reduce foodborne illness rates and cosmetic injury rates each year; (2) establish regulations, policies, guidance, and inspection and compliance strategies based on best…
Read More
By

FDA Updates Draft Guidance on Medical Foods

FDA , , , ,
On August 13, 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its “Draft Guidance for Industry: Frequently Asked Questions about Medical Foods; Second Edition.” The first edition of this guidance was previously issued in May 2007. The draft provides the FDA’s answers to commonly asked questions concerning the definition and regulation of medical foods and updates the responses in the 2007 document. You can read the draft guidance on the FDA’s website, available here. More specifically, a medical food—defined in section 5(b)(3) of the Orphan Drug Act (ODA)—is a food “which is formulated to be consumed or administered enterally…
Read More
By

FDA Warns Online Cigarette Retailers for Marketing Violations

FDA , , ,
In January 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (”FDA”) sent out several warning letters to online retailers of cigarettes, detailing certain marketing or product statements made that are in violation of federal laws that govern the practice. Several companies were targeted, including those with websites located at: www.smoke-cash.com and www.cheap-cig.com. A complete list of companies that were sent warning letters can be seen by clicking here. In the warning letters, these firms were strongly advised to correct marketing practices on specific products immediately and to submit a response to the warning letters with a specific plan to get their…
Read More
By

FDA Publishes Final Guidance Explaining Egg Safety Rule

FDA , , ,
On August 20, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced the availability of the final guidance document entitled “Guidance for Industry: Questions and Answers Regarding the Final Rule, Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Storage, and Transportation.” Found here, the Guidance details the new requirements for industry under the Egg Safety Rule. The full-text of the Rule, as found in 21 CFR part 118, may be accessed here. According to the FDA, the Guidance explains the requirements of the Egg Safety Rule and in particular, answers the questions asked by industry since the publication of…
Read More
By

FDA Releases Draft Guidance Updating Warnings for Labeling of Albumin, Highlighting Risk of Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease

FDA , , , ,
On June 11, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) published a draft guidance document, entitled Draft Guidance for Industry: Amendment to ‘Guidance for Industry: Revised Preventive Measures to Reduce the Possible Risk of Transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease by Blood and Blood Products.’ Found here, the Document highlights the recommended changes to labeling in light of current scientific knowledge. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (“CJD”) is a debilitating brain disorder that results in rapidly declining neurological functioning and ultimately death. Related to bovine spongiform encephalitis (“BSE” or “Mad Cow Disease”), variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (“vCJD”) is extremely rare and thought…
Read More