Friday, March 05, 2010

If it's not a drug, it can't do anything

As if to prove that politicians aren't the only ones full of themselves or to show that reasoning was in short supply when Obama filled top positions in the FDA, that agency has begun citing foods such as Cheerios and Diamond brand walnuts for making health claims on their labels.  If the FDA had told the companies to "prove your claims" it would have probably been a good move.  But no, the FDA said only drugs can have the effect you're claiming and your product isn't a drug therefore it can't possibly have the effect claimed and you're in violation of federal law.

For example, Cheerios claimed on it's package to lower cholesterol.  FDA's position is that such claims can only be made for drugs.  Either Cheerios is a drug and therefore subject to FDA regulations or it is improperly advertising something it cannot do because it isn't a drug.  Take your pick -- the FDA shows it's lack of intelligence either way.

2 comments:

  1. When my cholesterol was over 240 I went on the "6 week cholesterol cure diet" which was mostly oats, oat bran, and rice bran. Some whole wheat. It worked! We don't need drugs for everything--and I am a retired pharmacist.
    And we want the proposed Obamacare with this administration?? All the special regulatory bodies and committees to decide what is best??
    Marilyn

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  2. Can they regulate exercise as well? I know it isnt ingested per se it does make claims that apparently only drugs can make.

    Definitely silly. Still not sure how this ties to Obama, the FDA has always done silly things, but sure lets burn him too. ;)

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