Joy! Kinder Eggs are coming to America

May 22, 2017
The popular European treat is changing its packaging to comply with U.S. rules.
Kinder Joy is made up of two plastic halves of an egg. 
Ferrero International S.A.

As FDA pick nears confirmation, the agency grapples with nearly 1,000 vacancies

Apr 27, 2017
A key Senate committee is expected to vote Thursday on the confirmation of Dr. Scott Gottlieb to head up the Food and Drug Administration. If confirmed, which is expected, one of the headaches Gottlieb will inherit on Day 1: filling as many as 1,000 vacancies at the agency. Filling some of those jobs could speed […]

Why 23andMe wants your genetic data

Apr 19, 2017
CEO Anne Wojcicki hopes the collective power of health information will advance research.
"In some ways the world is just starting, but in some ways I think we've really driven a lot of change," said 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki.
Kimberly White/Getty Images for Vanity Fair

FDA clears 23andMe to sell genetics tests for diseases

Apr 10, 2017
Consumers can get information to help them determine if they are at risk of developing Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
Anne Wojcicki is co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, a company that makes home DNA testing kits.
Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company

The first HIV/AIDS drug was fast-tracked 30 years ago. Some lament that process.

Mar 20, 2017
It was 30 years ago this week that the Food and Drug Administration approved the first  treatment for HIV/AIDS, the drug AZT. At a time when the number of AIDS-related deaths was skyrocketing, AZT was rushed into the approval process. But some of the early advocates of the drug’s fast-tracking ended up lamenting that process. […]

The fight for the dairy aisle turns on the question: 'What’s milk?'

Mar 3, 2017
With the proliferation of products calling themselves milk (soy, almond, rice, coconut), dairy farmers are now lobbying Congress to limit the use of the word to the stuff that comes from lactating animals, namely cows.  And the makers of the plant-based drinks want to keep milking the term, so they’re pushing back. The Wall Street […]

For public good, not for profit.

New bill aims to improve sharing of electronic medical records

Dec 12, 2016
President Barack Obama is expected to sign legislation on Tuesday that should speed FDA approval of some drugs and devices, as well as making a significant investment in medical research. The measure – known as the 21st Century Cures Act – also should make it easier for patient data to move from the hospital to […]
U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr

New surgeon general report says vaping is a threat to kids

Dec 8, 2016
E-cigs are popular among high schoolers, but the government says the nicotine can hurt developing brains.
E-cigarettes are displayed at Gone With the Smoke Vapor Lounge on May 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. 
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Nutella wants out of the FDA's dessert category

Nov 3, 2016
Ferrero says most people put its spread on toast, not ice cream.
Jars of Nutella are displayed on a shelf at a market in San Francisco, California. 

 
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images