Supreme Court

Menthol vapes and forum shopping, FDA tobacco control comes before justices

Menthol vapes and forum shopping, FDA tobacco control comes before justices

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The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Tuesday in a clash over whether a North Carolina-based company can challenge the Food and Drug Administration’s denial of its application to market e-cigarettes in the conservative U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, based in Louisiana. The company, R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, joined a lawsuit by retailers based in Texas and Mississippi – two states covered by the 5th Circuit.

Although the dispute may seem like a technical one, … Read the rest

Civil Law

FDA announces new strategy to prevent contamination of fresh and frozen berries

The FDA has developed a new strategy to prevent the contamination of fresh and frozen berries with viruses such as hepatitis A and norovirus.

“Collaboration between regulators, the global berry industry, and other interest holders has been critical for the development of this strategy. We look forward to ongoing collaboration to ensure the success of this strategy, and others, for the prevention of foodborne illness,” said Conrad Choiniere, director of the Office of Microbiological Food Safety at the FDA’s Human … Read the rest

Supreme Court

Justices take up Maryland parents’ challenge to LGBTQ books in schools

Justices take up Maryland parents’ challenge to LGBTQ books in schools

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The Supreme Court will decide whether a group of Maryland parents can opt to have their children exempted from LGBTQ-themed storybooks. The justices on Friday afternoon granted Mahmoud v. Taylor, in which a coalition of parents from Montgomery County, Md., contend that requiring their children to participate in instruction that violates their religious beliefs violates their First Amendment right to freely exercise their religion.

The announcement once again puts the justices in the center of the culture wars. … Read the rest

Civil Law

Red dye No. 3 now banned; consumer groups applaud FDA’s action

The Food and Drug Administration this week banned the use of Red Dye No. 3 in foods, meeting requirements of the 1960 Delaney Clause of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The action comes after years of public requests for the FDA to take action against harmful chemicals added to foods. In 1990 the agency banned the use of Red No. 3 in cosmetics, but had not taken similar action for foods and drugs until this week.

“The FDA is amending … Read the rest