July 29, 2017 — Almost ten years ago, FDA set a new hurdle for approving new diabetes drugs. Before one of these new drugs could be approved, the sponsoring company would need an expensive cardiovascular safety study. How expensive? The price tag might run as high as a billion dollars. FDA laid this same requirement on new obesity drugs, […]
June 24, 2017 — A few weeks ago, the FDA announced an indefinite delay in the new Nutrition Facts label. This label discloses what’s in every food product sold in the U.S. It would — for the first time ever — give consumers information about how much added sugar is in a product. Howls of Protest When this delay surfaced, howls […]
May 1, 2017 — Making progress with medical devices to treat obesity is a tedious business. And it comes with many ups and downs. But with a more reasonable pathway for FDA approvals these days, more entrepreneurs are trying to advance their ideas. In the latests news, the folks developing a hunger-curbing stent for obesity have raised $2.1 million […]
April 30, 2017 — What does it mean when a food label says the product is healthy? For the last six months, more than a thousand public comments have poured into FDA. Two answers rise to the top. Health claims on a food label seem to be good for a bump in sales and for confusing consumers. Peculiar Advice […]
April 29, 2017 — Making progress in obesity care continues to be a slow and steady business. Nearly 100 million Americans have this complex chronic disease. But it’s so stigmatized that most people don’t really want to think about it – let alone seek care. But progress continues, with a steady climb on all fronts. News from Novo Nordisk – now […]
April 8, 2017 — Here’s a news flash you don’t see every day. Industry says FDA should slow down. Usually drug and medical device companies are complaining that the agency doesn’t move fast enough. Food companies now are saying that FDA shouldn’t move so fast on requiring new and improved nutrition labels on food products. FDA Commissioner Nominee “Delighted” to Consider Slowing […]
April 5, 2017 — A remarkable collaboration is taking shape to set a higher bar for the quality and safety of dietary supplements. This week in Washington the Dietary Supplement Quality Collaborative (DSQC) brought together people from the supplement industry with consumer advocates, health professionals, and scientific organizations. This group has been taking shape over the last year. The shared […]
February 17, 2017 — It’s a perfect narrative. A brave entrepreneur making healthy snack bars is putting his money on the line to bring us truth in nutrition. Daniel Lubetzky, founder and owner of Kind Bars LLC, announced Tuesday that he is funding the creation of a new nonprofit. He will call it Feed the Truth. And thus, Little […]
January 31, 2017 — Dietary supplements live in a unique regulatory space. That space lies somewhere between food and drugs. Sometimes that’s just fine. Vitamins and minerals that your body really needs can be well-regulated for purity and safety. But therapeutic agents also squeeze into this space. For example, glucosamine and chondroitin supplements advertise benefits like “joint mobility.” People with […]
January 1, 2017 — The new year brings new expectations. Sure, we always have new diet, nutrition, and weight loss fashions. But, in thinking about obesity and health, we can also expect some more substantive changes. Here’s our top ten for 2017. 1. More “Less Added Sugar.” Already, the pressure to avoid sugar was on. Now, new labeling for added sugar will dial […]
