Don't be fooled. Just because it's called "water" and comes in a bottle doesn't mean it's "bottled water." Most fortified drinks are actually "water beverages." If you really want "bottled water," it must be "intended for human consumption and sealed in bottles or other containers with no added ingredients," except for antimicrobial agents and fluoride, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates bottled water as a food. We know it's confusing. So here's what to look for if you want old-fashioned bottled water, according to the FDA: ...more

October 18, 2007

Medtronic Inc. is stopping distribution of wires that connect some of its defibrillators to patients' hearts after learning they may have contributed to five deaths. ...more

October 16, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that it would look into claims from an advocacy group that certain lipsticks contain potentially dangerous levels of lead. ...more

October 13, 2007

Cholesterol Takes A Shot Are you one of the nearly 76 million Americans living with high or elevated LDL, or "bad" cholesterol? Now you can drink your way to better levels with Promise activ SuperShots, the first minidrink with cholesterol-lowering natural plant sterols. The National Cholesterol Education Program and the Food and Drug Administration endorse natural plant sterols as a dietary method for cholesterol reduction. Unilever's new fruit-and-yogurt drink contains 2 grams of plant sterols per serving. It would take about 100 pounds of fruits, vegetables and nuts to get the equivalent in natural plant sterols. You'll also be drinking omega-3, omega-6 and vitamin E. Try it in strawberry, peach and raspberry. Each SuperShot has 70 calories, with 30 calories from fat. Promise activ SuperShots are available in grocery stores for a suggested retail price of $3.99 for a four-pack. ...more

October 4, 2007

TAMPA - The Food and Drug Administration has announced a recall of Sabanero Inc. frying and grating cheese loaves, citing the possibility of bacterial contamination by Staphylococcus aureus. ...more

October 1, 2007

Safety experts for the Food and Drug Administration urged the agency on Friday to consider an outright ban on over-the-counter, multi-symptom cough and cold medicines for children younger than 6. ...more

September 30, 2007

Clinical trials that enroll millions of patients in tests of experimental drugs and medical devices get scant government oversight, according to a report released Friday. ...more

September 29, 2007

U.S. regulators are cracking down on about 200 unapproved prescription cough medicines that contain the narcotic hydrocodone, including some marketed for young children. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday threatened to pull the products off the market if companies do not stop making and distributing them within six months. ...more

September 29, 2007

TAMPA - The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to avoid Baby's Bliss Gripe Water after a parasite was found in the product. ...more

September 21, 2007

Federal health officials have warned Procter & Gamble Co. that it unlawfully is marketing a new hand sanitizer for use by children. ...more

September 19, 2007