FDA News Digest April 21, 2003 ______________________________________________________________ SARS Guidance Issued to Further Safeguard the Blood Supply FDA has issued guidance to the nation's blood establishments on measures to further safeguard the blood supply against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). FDA is taking this interim measure while more is learned about the disease. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01215.html ______________________________________________________________ FDA Science Forum to Be Held April 24-25 "Protecting the Public Health" is the theme for the 2003 FDA Science Forum to be held April 24-25 at the new Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01214.html ______________________________________________________________ FDA Announces Labeling Changes on Heart Benefit of Zocor FDA has announced labeling changes for Zocor (simvastatin), based on the results of the Heart Protection Study. The new labeling reflects research showing that Zocor reduces risks of strokes and fatal and non-fatal heart attacks, and the need for bypass surgery and angioplasty. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01213.html ______________________________________________________________ FDA Grants Use of Brain Implant for Movement Disorder FDA has approved a brain implant to help control some symptoms of primary dystonia, a rare, debilitating movement disorder. The implant, a deep brain stimulator, was previously approved for treating Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01212.html ______________________________________________________________ RECALLS The following products have been recalled for the reasons shown. Go to the linked page for more information: White Wave Vanilla Silk Soymilk (contaminant) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/whitewave04_03.html Mother's Kitchen Cheesecakes (undeclared almonds) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/motherskitchen04_03.html King Richard Walnut Pound Cake (undeclared milk protein) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/kingrichard04_03.html Perry Food Market Blueberry Strudel Bites (undeclared milk protein) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/perry04_03.html Marutama Company Ready-to-Eat Fish Cakes (undeclared eggs) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/marutama04_03.html ______________________________________________________________ PUBLIC MEETINGS For a list of upcoming FDA meetings, seminars, and other public events, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html. ______________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be April 28. To leave this list at any time, send an e-mail to LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxx In the body of the message, write SIGNOFF FDA-NEWSDIGEST-L
