FDA

FDA moves to prohibit menthol flavorings in cigarettes including Reynolds' Newport brand

9:01pm May 01, 2022

One of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company's top brands faces a challenge after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced an upcoming prohibition on menthol flavoring in cigarettes and cigars.

The Food and Drug Administration says its proposal to ban menthol cigarettes has the potential to significantly decrease disease and death from tobacco by "reducing youth experimentation and addiction." Here, menthol cigarettes and other tobacco products

The FDA is proposing a ban on menthol cigarettes

6:09pm April 28, 2022

by Rina Torchinsky

The agency says the proposal has the potential to significantly decrease disease and death from tobacco by "reducing youth experimentation and addiction."

The FDA is working with federal, state, and local officials to investigate a multi-state outbreak of norovirus illnesses linked to raw oysters, the agency said Wednesday.

Health & Safety

A norovirus outbreak is linked to raw oysters distributed in 13 states, the FDA says

10:09pm April 06, 2022

by NPR Staff

A multistate outbreak of norovirus illnesses linked to raw oysters from Canada is under investigation in 13 states by the FDA.

A pop-up clinic inside Los Angeles International Airport offered free vaccinations and boosters for holiday travelers last December. A new round of vaccinations may be needed before next winter.

Health & Safety

Advisers to FDA weigh in on updated COVID boosters for the fall

5:33pm April 06, 2022

by Scott Hensley

The vaccines now in use are based on the form of the virus that circulated at the beginning of the pandemic and are less effective against the omicron variant. New options are in the works.

Queue Listen Now

The Biden administration wants people 50 and over to have the option of getting an additional booster shot.

The FDA is expected to authorize 2nd boosters for people 50 and up

9:06pm March 27, 2022

People aged 50 and over could soon be eligible for a second Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID vaccine booster. The administration wants to offer the shots as immunity from the first booster is waning.

A Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is prepared during a pop-up vaccine clinic at Cristo Rey Church in East Austin on July 24, 2021.

Moderna wants the FDA to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 6

11:20am March 23, 2022

by Ayana Archie

No deaths were reported in tests, and there were no signs of myocarditis, or heart inflammation, as a side effect.

Abbott Nutrition has voluntarily recalled certain powdered baby formulas.

FDA warns against using another powdered baby formula after a 2nd death

5:14pm March 01, 2022

by Rina Torchinsky

The FDA now cautions against using a specific lot of Abbott Nutrition's Similac PM 60/40 after a second infant dies. Abbott voluntarily recalled the specialty product on Monday.

Similac powdered baby formula with an expiration date on or after April 1, 2022, and a code with first two digits of 22 through 37 and containing K8, SH or Z2 are part of a voluntary recall by its manufacturer, Abbott Nutrition.

Stop using these baby formulas, the FDA says, after 4 infants are hospitalized

5:45pm February 18, 2022

by Rina Torchinsky

Abbott Nutrition voluntarily recalled some powdered formulas sold under the Similac, Alimentum and EleCare brands. The FDA is investigating links to four bacterial infections, one of which was fatal.

A medical worker prepares the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine booster in Hartford, Connecticut, in January.

The FDA postpones a highly anticipated meeting on the Pfizer vaccine for young kids

4:04pm February 11, 2022

by Scott Hensley

"We believe additional information regarding the ongoing evaluation of a third dose should be considered as part of our decision-making for potential authorization," FDA officials said in a statement.

A booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is prepared during a vaccination clinic on Dec. 29 in Lawrence, Mass. The FDA is now shortening the wait time between the second dose and the booster to five months from six months.

Health & Safety

FDA shortens the wait time between Moderna vaccine and booster to 5 months

2:01pm January 07, 2022

by Deepa Shivaram

Now, both the Pfizer and the Moderna booster shots can be given five months after the second dose of vaccine — down from six months.