FDA News Digest July 21, 2003 _______________________________________________ New Blood Test Can Help Predict Coronary Heart Disease Risk FDA has cleared for marketing a blood test that can help predict the risk of coronary heart disease by measuring the level of an enzyme that is higher in persons with the disease. The test is intended to augment other tests and clinical evaluation. About 7 million Americans have coronary heart disease, caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that feed the heart. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01239.html ____________________________________________________________ FDA Initiative Aims to Protect Consumers from Counterfeit Drugs Prompted by an increase in counterfeit drugs, FDA has launched an initiative to protect consumers from these potentially unsafe products. The initiative is designed to improve identification of risks and threats from counterfeit drugs; establish a public and private coalition to fight drug counterfeiting and distribution; and develop new tools to identify, deter, and combat counterfeiting. Press release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00926.html More information: http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/counterfeit/ ____________________________________________________________ FDA Reviews Ways to Reduce Contamination Risk in Food Processing FDA has contracted with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to review preventive measures food processors can take to reduce the risk of an intentional act of terrorism or accidental contamination. IFT will provide information about temperature, technology, chemical treatments, and other methods that may reduce contamination risk. The review is expected to be completed by June 2004. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00925.html ____________________________________________________________ RECALLS The following product is being recalled for the reason shown. Go to the linked page for more information. Duck Delivery Produce Cut Honeydew and Cut Cantaloupe (possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination) http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/duck07_03.html _______________________________________________ RECENT TESTIMONY FDA Deputy Commissioner Lester M. Crawford, D.V.M., before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; topic: "FDA's Role in the National Response to an Emerging Zoonotic or Secondarily Transmitted Infectious Disease" (July 17) http://www.fda.gov/ola/2003/monkeypox0717.html _______________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the FDA News Digest. Our next posting will be July 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
