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Latest 'Patient Safety News' Video
Available Free
Online
FDA has posted the latest edition of "Patient Safety News," a free Web-based video news program aimed primarily at health professionals. The program features information on new drugs, biologics, and medical devices, as well as FDA safety notifications and product recalls.
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/index.cfm
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpnews.html.
To access the RSS feed of FDA news releases, go
to
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/rssPress.xml.
[What is an RSS feed? See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/newsfeeds.html.]
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RECALLS/SAFETY ALERTS
For a
list of recalls, market withdrawals, and safety alerts involving
FDA-regulated
products from the past 60 days, go to http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html.
To access the RSS feed of FDA recalls information, go
to
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/rssRecalls.xml.
[What is an RSS feed? See http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/newsfeeds.html.]
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RECENT SPEECHES
July 10 -- FDA Deputy Commissioner for Medical and Scientific Affairs Scott Gottlieb, M.D., spoke at the 2006 Conference on Adaptive Trial Design.
Subject: the future of new drug development
http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2006/trialdesign0710.html
June 30 -- FDA Acting Commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., spoke at the FDA Centennial Celebration.
Subject: the past and future of FDA
http://www.fda.gov/oc/speeches/2006/centennial0630.html
To
view an archive of past speeches by FDA officials, go to
http://www.fda.gov/speeches/speechli.htm.
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UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS
July 12 -- FDA Workshop on Testing for Malarial Infections in Blood Donors
Under discussion: current information that might support donor testing for malaria as part of screening
Location: Bethesda, Md.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/meetings/malaria071206.htm
July 12-13 -- The Essentials of Food and Drug Administration Device Regulations: A Primer for Manufacturers and Suppliers
Under discussion: FDA device regulations, especially for small businesses and their suppliers
Location: Fremont, Calif.
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/06-5570.htm
July 13-14 -- Blood Products Advisory Committee
Under discussion: malarial infections in blood donors; West Nile virus
Location: Gaithersburg, Md.
http://www.fda.gov/cber/advisory/bp/bp0706.htm
July 14 -- Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee
Under discussion: pending application for an implantable miniature telescope to treat certain eye disorders
Location: Gaithersburg, Md.
http://www.fda.gov/OHRMS/DOCKETS/98fr/E6-9601.htm
For a list of FDA meetings, seminars, and other public events, go to
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpmeetings.html.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Why is it important to use a cooking thermometer?
One of the critical factors in fighting foodborne illness is temperature. Bacteria grow slowly at low temperatures and multiply rapidly at mid-range temperatures. To be safe, a product must be cooked to an internal temperature high enough to destroy harmful bacteria.
Using a meat thermometer is a reliable way to ensure that food has reached the proper temperature. However, to be effective, thermometers must be used properly and calibrated correctly. If the thermometer is inserted incorrectly, or placed in the wrong area, the reading may not accurately reflect the internal temperature of the product. In general, the thermometer should be placed in the thickest part of the food, away from bone, fat or gristle. Read the manufacturer's instructions on how to check the accuracy of the thermometer.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, measuring temperature is the only way to gauge whether food is sufficiently cooked. USDA research reveals that the "color test" is a misleading way to gauge the safety of foods being prepared, since the color of cooked foods varies considerably. For example, freezing and thawing may influence a meat's tendency to brown prematurely.
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