Dismal Scorecard For FDA
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As pet owners were struggling to find something they felt was safe to feed their cats and dogs, the federal government announced that the nation's human food supply was at risk too, pork products at risk because farmers had fed their pigs the salvaged contaminated pet food, those products which had been found to have been contaminated by melamine, a substance not approved for food in the United States. The food that was suspected of killing cats and dogs was being fed to animals meant for human consumption.
Contamination scares about pork, poultry, beef and farm-fed fish were issued this year as the nation and Canada were struggling to cope with the inexcusable losses and sickness of their pets due to the melamine contamination.
Consumers are becoming more and more wary that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is withholding information about the safety of the nation's food supply, both for human consumption as well as for pets.
Over and over both the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture told consumers the nation's food supply was safe and there was a minimal risk, and then within a short time the would announce that byproducts from pet food manufactured with contaminated wheat gluten imported from China had been used in chicken feed, or cattle feed, or fish feed.
There is an inordinate distrust in government at all levels.and its growing.
The toothpaste scare, labeled by the FDA to be yet another minimum risk, is expanding.
On June 1, FDA warned consumers to avoid using tubes of toothpaste labeled as made in China because of concerns that the toothpaste may contain the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol (DEG). Also known as "diglycol," DEG is used in antifreeze and as a solvent. The agency also issued an import alert to prevent toothpaste containing DEG from entering the United States.
FDA said that "out of an abundance of caution", they recommended that consumers throw away toothpaste labeled as made in China. They said at that time that they weren't aware of any U.S. reports of poisonings from toothpaste containing DEG but they were concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and people with kidney or liver disease.
The New York Times reported on Thursday that about 900,000 tubes of tainted Chinese toothpaste were more widely distributed in the U.S. than previously thought and had been distributed in correctional facilities, mental institutions and some hospitals. Government is distributing tainted products to the nation's more vulnerable people.
How does this happen? There needs to be an immediate and intense review of the operations and administration of the FDA. There's just too much at risk to allow them to continue operating they way they are. Hundreds of thousands pets were lost and sickened because contaminated wheat gluten was allowed into the country. Now it's toothpaste and seafood. What next?
Thousands of tubes of contaminated toothpaste that had been shipped to state prisons in Georgia were removed as well as from juvenile detention centers and mental hospitals.
The toothpaste at risk was said to be sold in the low-cost "bargain" stores such as those known as "dollar" stores and this cheap toothpaste is what is distributed to inmates and patients throughout the country.
FDA has identified brands of toothpaste from China that contain DEG and are included in the import alert as Cooldent Fluoride; Cooldent Spearmint; Cooldent ICE; Dr. Cool, Everfresh Toothpaste; Superdent Toothpaste; Clean Rite Toothpaste; Oralmax Extreme; Oral Bright Fresh Spearmint Flavor; Bright Max Peppermint Flavor; ShiR Fresh Mint Fluoride Paste; DentaPro; DentaKleen; and DentaKleen Junior. Manufacturers of these products are: Goldcredit International Enterprises Limited; Goldcredit International Trading Company Limited; and Suzhou City Jinmao Daily Chemicals Company Limited.
Then on June 13 came the recall by MS USA Trading Inc. of North Bergen, NJ, of all lots of 5 ounce tubes of Colgate, because it has the potential to be contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) chemical found in anti-freeze. MS USA Trading is concerned about potential risks from chronic exposure to DEG and exposure to DEG in certain populations, such as children and individuals with kidney or liver disease.
The "Colgate" was distributed in NJ, NY, PA and MD in discount retail stores.
The product comes in a 5 ounce (100ml), made in South Africa is printed on the box. The recall includes the following brands: Regular, Gel, Triple and Herbal.
But two days later, Colgate Palmolive said that the toothpaste was counterfeit. On June 15 the company warned consumers that the counterfeit toothpaste, which has been found in some small, independent dollar-type discount stores, may not contain fluoride and could contain Diethylene Glycol, an ingredient not used in Colgate toothpaste anywhere in the world.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the FDA revealed the presence of diethylene glycol(DEG) in some 5 ounce of "Colgate".
FDA said production of the product has been suspended while the company continues their investigation as to the source of the problem.
Consumers who have purchased 5 ounce of "Colgate Toothpaste" in Regular, Gel, Triple and Herbal are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-201-869-0010.
There have been many questions raised if consumers can trust Chinese products. Perhaps the most significant and imperative question is can consumers trust the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA's toothpaste recall list didn't include Springfresh, one of the brands found in some state prisons but the company which distributes, Springfresh, American Amenities, recalled all of the product at its own tests showed that the product contained diethylene glycol. Where was the FDA in this, why hadn't they tested the product before it was so widely distributed?
It was reported that American Amenities had distributed nearly 13,000 mini-travel size tubes of Springfresh toothpaste and nearly 5,900 7-ounce tubes in the state of Washington. Inmates who couldn't afford to buy their chosen brand of toothpaste through their commissary money were given the contaminated toothpaste. Of course Department of Corrections officials were quick to claim that there was minimal risk.
Whether you're a consumer, a pet owner, a hospital patient or an inmate, you have a right to believe that the products you use and food that you eat, that you feed your children and pets, is free from contamination and safe to use. You have a right to expect that the FDA will do its job and so far, it appears that the government doesn't have a very good scorecard.
Publish Date: 07/03/2007
Related: Dismal Scorecard For FDA
Additional information:
From www.healthnews-stat.com:
While some researchers have focused on studying combinations of conventional drugs, others have turned to Chinese herbal medicines, and with good reasons.
Chinese Herbs available at Blue Chinese Herbs. The biggest variety of chinese herbs from ancient chinese herbs to the most popular.
Chinese Herbal Medicine is actually called Chinese Drug Therapy in China because it uses a wide variety of substances and therapeutic.
Robert Kelley offers Chinese herbal medicine consultations, Hawaii Total Wellness Retreats. Clinic.
So the 28 substances and 12 prescriptions listed in the Nei Jing are the first mention of the Chinese herbal medicine which continues to be practiced.
Oral Chinese herbal preparations have been the subject of discussion for some time and have been shown to be of benefit in eczema. 1 2 In practice, however.
Chinese herbal mixtures, taken by mouth, have been used for this condition for many years. Recently, four randomised controlled trials have been undertaken.
Chinese herbal medicine is a major aspect of traditional Chinese medicine, which focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body, and spirit.
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