FDA to announce crackdown on synthetic substance derived from kratom
The Department of Health and Human Services said in an advisory that it is targeting potentially dangerous products made of 7-OH, a potent substance synthesized from a compound in the kratom leaf, which grows on trees native to Southeast Asia. The Food and Drug Administration, researchers and kratom companies have grown increasingly alarmed by the rise of 7-OH products they say are distinct from all-natural plant teas and powders.
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New SNAP rules explained: 6 more states restrict purchases of processed 'junk' foods
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that six additional states had been granted waivers allowing them to prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits from being used on certain processed foods and drinks. Kennedy joined U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Monday as Rollins signed the six new waivers, which allow the states to amend what the food assistance benefits -- colloquially referred to as food stamps -- can be used for at the grocery store. "SNAP is a supplemental nutrition program meant to provide health food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being," Rollins said. "That is the stated purpose of the SNAP program, the law states it and President Trump's USDA plans to deliver on it." In a statement, Kennedy added, "For years, SNAP has used taxpayer dollars to fund soda and candy -- products that fuel America's diabetes and chronic disease epidemics. These waivers help put real food back at the center of the program and empower states to lead the charge in protecting public health." The new waivers will restrict the purchase of so-called "junk food" with SNAP funds in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Colorado, Florida and West Virginia starting in 2026. Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Utah were granted similar waivers for SNAP reform earlier this year. What is SNAP? The federally funded program, once known as food stamps, issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. It is run by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, which administers federal food assistance programs. "SNAP helps low-income working people, senior citizens, the disabled and others feed their families," the USDA states on its website. "Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income and other factors." On average, according to USDA data, SNAP served 42.1 million people per month in 2023, which accounts for more than 12.5% of the population. What foods and beverages are restricted by the waivers? Of the 12 states that have been granted SNAP waivers so far, most will restrict the use of SNAP funds on purchases of soft drinks or sodas, and at least eight restrict the use of SNAP funds on candy purchases. Some also prohibit food benefits from being used on purchases of energy drinks and, in Arkansas, the purchase of "fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice." Additionally, Florida will prohibit SNAP funds from being used on purchases of "prepared desserts," and Iowa will restrict the purchase of "all taxable food items as defined by the Iowa Department of Revenue except food producing plants and seeds for food producing plants." This includes items like candy, certain ready-to-eat snacks, soft drinks and gum. The new restrictions will go into effect in 2026. Click here for a full list of prohibited items and links for additional state information. While all of this is being done under the banner of "making America healthy again" and fighting chronic disease, ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton said "there's no evidence that taking away access to soda will actually fight these conditions." He noted however, that "sugar is one of those culprits that you always have to be mindful of" regardless. "The U.S. dietary guidelines recommend that men have no more than 35 grams and women no more than 25 grams per day," Sutton said.
CBS News
2 minutes ago
- CBS News
Baltimore organizations try to keep the momentum going with overdose prevention
Some Baltimore organizations are working around the clock to combat drug abuse while trying to prevent residents from overdosing. The Pride Center of Maryland's Harm Reduction Team was in action on Wednesday in the city's Old Gaucher neighborhood, handing out resources, including Narcan. Those getting this help say this work is sorely needed, adding it's a life-or-death situation. Every day, members of the Pride Center of Maryland's Harm Reduction Team are outside the nonprofit's resource center on Maryland Avenue. They're sitting at tables, which are filled with food, hygiene products, clothes -- as well as Narcan, fentanyl strips, and other health resources. It's free for anyone who walks by. Jerome Scott, the Pride Center's program manager of wellness, said the purpose is about visibility and to let people know they are here to help. "[Let people know] we see you, we care, and we have things for you," Scott said. "We just like to let our faces be known." But, they aren't just stationary. Scott packed a few drawstring bags with what was on the tables and walked several blocks around the neighborhood, handing them out to anyone he saw. A volunteer also handed out lunches alongside him. Scott said there are times he would leave Narcan and other resources in certain locations, even if no one is there, so it can be readily accessible if someone were to use it nearby. Scott stressed that it's important this work doesn't lose momentum. "These are our brothers, these are our sisters, our aunts, our uncles out here. So, we wanna be there for them," Scott said. Scott said the mass overdoses in the Penn North neighborhood in July show why this work can't slow down. Penn North is another neighborhood where Scott does outreach and brings resources to. Jessica Collins, who received some of the Pride Center's free resources, said she's also been in an addiction treatment center since May. She said these resources need to be more accessible to encourage addicts to get help. "It's just each individual taking that step to go forward to wanting that that person making that decision to want to get help," Collins said. When asked how much Narcan his team has on hand, Scott said they try to have at least 500. However, the team goes through its inventory often, especially in the summer months.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
FDA flags problems with two Boston Scientific heart devices tied to injuries and deaths
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators are warning doctors and patients about safety issues with two separate Boston Scientific heart devices recently linked to injuries and deaths. The Food and Drug Administration issued two alerts Wednesday about electrical problems tied to the company's heart-zapping defibrillator systems and a separate issue with a heart implant used to reduce stroke risk. The agency said the company's Endotak Reliance defibrillator wires can become calcified, leading to failures in delivering life-saving shocks to the heart, according to the FDA. Defibrillators are surgically placed in the upper chest, where they monitor irregular heartbeats and use electrical shocks to jolt the heart back to normal. As of July 24, Boston Scientific has reported 386 serious injuries and 16 deaths associated with this issue, the agency said. Ten of the deaths were judged to be due to the device failing to function properly, the company said in an email. Four were linked to attempts to surgically remove the devices from patients and two others were deemed unrelated to the implants. Boston Scientific's wires were distributed between 2002 and 2021 and are no longer available, the company noted in its letter to doctors. Some patients will need to have the devices replaced, though physicians should weigh the risks of the removal procedure. In a separate notice, the FDA said Boston Scientific recently updated instructions for implanting its Watchman device, which closes a portion of the heart's left atrium to reduce the risk of stroke. In a letter to physicians, the company noted that there is an increased risk of blockages in the bloodstream depending on the level of anesthesia for patients undergoing the initial implantation procedure. Watchman is an alternative to long-term treatment with blood thinners for patients at increased risk of stroke. As of July 30, the company has reported 120 serious injuries and 17 deaths related to the issue, the FDA said. A company investigation concluded that the safety issue 'is not associated with the design or manufacture of any component of the Watchman system. Heart devices, including defibrillators and other implants, are Boston Scientific's largest business, making up two-thirds of its $5 billion in revenue for the most recent quarter. Shares of Boston Scientific Corp. fell nearly 1.8 percent Wednesday to close at $102.95 in trading. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
