FDA Roundup: January 14, 2025

SILVER SPRING, Md., Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: 

• Today, the FDA issued a Request for Information (RFI) on industry practices related to poppy seeds. The FDA is interested in better understanding the agricultural, industry, manufacturing, and supply chain practices currently being used, and whether certain practices increase or reduce the presence of opiate alkaloids on poppy seeds.
  
  
• Today, the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine issued a Dear Veterinarian letter alerting practitioners to the possibility of burns associated with the use of Megadyne grounding pads in animal surgical patients.
  
  
• On Monday, the FDA published the FDA Voices, "Vaccines for COVID-19: A Personal Reflection," by Robert M. Califf, MD, Commissioner of Food and Drugs. This FDA Voices is Dr. Califf's personal reflection on the status of COVID vaccines, which he says constitute one of the most important elements of government policy, particularly as it relates to the FDA and his term as Commissioner. It is not intended to be an exhaustive systematic review or to represent the policies of the current administration.
  
  
• On Monday, the FDA published the blog, "FDA Spearheads Global Efforts on Informal Markets and Substandard/Falsified Medical Products." This blog is the latest in the "From A Global Perspective" series and discusses the FDA's role in leading WHO efforts to address knowledge gaps regarding the global distribution of substandard and falsified medical products through informal/unregulated markets.
  
  
• On Friday, the FDA, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the seizure of more than 628,000 unauthorized e-cigarette products from a warehouse in Miami. The seized products—mostly flavored, disposable e-cigarettes as well as some packs, kits, and batteries—were valued at more than $7 million and included some brands that may appeal to youth, such as Geek Bar. This seizure is another example of coordinated enforcement actions across federal agencies to curb the distribution and sale of illegal e-cigarettes.

Additional Resources:

• FDA Newsroom 

Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA 

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration