A report by the Institute of Medicine urges the FDA to insist on salt restrictions from food companies, as the report suggests that 100 000 deaths a year can be prevented if salt restrictions are implemented. Morton Satin, spokesman for the Salt Institute is critical towards the claims and points out the lack of consistent findings in larger studies. Many companies have already willingly cut down on salt, but many Americans have an intake that is twice as the current recommended levels.

According to ABC news, a recent study of 10 restaurants showed that the calories written on the menu can be far away from reality. At some restaurants, such as Chang’s large Sichuan-style asparagus, had double the amount. From 200 to 400 calories for one menu item it can sure add up in the long run. On average the 29 menu items tested contained 18 % more calories than advertised, a number accepted by the FDA. The Food and Drug Administration has set a 20% margin of error. The problem is that customers are not aware of this, and the restaurants are not exactly happy about spreading the word.

Earlier this year Arena Pharmaceuticals were disappointed to hear that they wouldn’t get an FDA approval even though they met their trial goals and achieved statistically significant results on all three primary endpoints (se last post on significance).The BLOSSOM trial showed an average weight loss of 5.8% (2.2 in placebo group), and 22.6% lost more than 10% of their bodyweight. FDA requires that at least 35% should lose 5% or more weight- and this was achieved, but the difference between the placebo group and the lorcaserin patient group did not make it to the 5% mark. In the meantime the shares for Arena Pharmaceuticals dropped 20%.
On December 22nd Arena Pharmaceuticals announced that they are applying for FDA approval again, backed up by the results from the second year-long trial with 4,000 patients. But the second study still does not meet all the criteria’s set by the FDA. Arena claims this drug is safe ( in 1997 Wyeth had to recall a drug due to heart valve problems)- and should get an FDA approval.

According to ABC news about half of all Americans take a daily vitamin supplement. Interviews with 25 primary care physicians showed that while most physicians do not recommend a daily vitamin supplement. They do not discourage the use either, and refer to the act as a ‘a kind of insurance policy on nutrition’, and that no harm can be done. Not everybody seems to agree, in January 2009 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on dietary supplements states that consumers lack information on safety, efficacy, and labeling of dietary supplements and that the Food and Drug Administration haven’t taken enough actions to remove unsafe products from the market. Supplement sale is big business and sold for $23.7 billion United States in 2007, this trend is expected to grow as the population is evermore concerned with their health.

Today the FDA contacted nearly 30 manufacturers questioning the safety and legality of the caffeinated drinks. According to the law something that is added to food is considered unsafe unless approved by the FDA. Caffeine is actually not (yet) approved by the FDA and recent headlines such as the article I wrote at the beginning of this month, have highlighted the problems with the energy drinks.
I am curious to see what the results are going to be, but my guess is that the drinks will not be banned, but will maybe undergo heavy regulation. I am even more curious to see whether the Swedish government will pick up on this.
My suggestions are as following:
• There should be a 15 year age limit on drinks containing more than 20mg/dl of caffeine. This means that weak coffee, dark eat, green tea and coca cola makes the cut, but that Red bull, monster Dark dog and Battery would have to find a new target group.
• Restrictions on sponsoring of events that largely consists of underage participants and audience, and use of social networking sites to promote age-restricted drinks.
• There is also a great need for studies on the effect of energy drinks, and in particular ingredients such as taurine and glukuronolakton.
• Caffeinated drinks should never be mixed with alcohol, and premixes’ should undergo heavy restrictions.