U.S. officials are investigating the marketing of Marlboro Lights, sold by the Philip Morris USA unit of the Altria Group.
In a few days, a new federal law takes effect that bans tobacco products from carrying the words "light" or any other language that might suggest they're safer than other tobacco products, The New York Times reported.
The Food and Drug Administration wants Altria to explain notes that have been placed on the last packs of Marlboro Lights. The notes say "Your Marlboro Lights package is changing, but your cigarette stays the same," and, "In the future, ask for Marlboro in the gold pack."
In a letter sent Thursday to Altria, the FDA said the company has until July 30 to provide all documents related to the company's market research on consumer perceptions about the new gold package for Marlboro Lights and the health risks of the cigarettes the Times reported.
The notes on the last packages of Marlboro Lights "may perpetuate the mistaken beliefs associated with your 'light' cigarettes when marketed as Marlboro in the gold pack," the FDA said in the letter.
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FDA Fines Red Cross $16 Million for Blood Screening
The American Red Cross has been fined for shoddy screening of donated blood.
The organization was hit with a $16 million fine because it failed to take precautions to ensure the safety of blood donations, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Associated Press reported.
The fine included nearly $10 million for mismanagement of blood products and more than $6 million for faulty manufacturing practices. The violations occurred in the past few years, the news service said.
Depsite the problems at the Red Cross, the U.S. blood supply appears to be safe, according to the FDA, the AP reported.
Since 2003, the FDA has cited the Red Cross a dozen times and fined it more than $21 million, the news service said.Health Highlights: June 19, 2010Originally from: http://www.nursinglink.monster.com/news/articles/14104-health-highlights-june-19-2010
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