FDA reaches $1.25 million settlement with Advanced Sterilization Products and company executives

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has reached a $1.25 million settlement of a civil money penalty action against Advanced Sterilization Products (ASP), a division of Ethicon Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, and two of ASP’s executives alleging that ASP manufactured and distributed adulterated and misbranded sterilization monitoring products.

FDA issues safety communication on HeartStart automated external defibrillators from Philips Healthcare

Certain HeartStart automated external defibrillator (AED) devices made by Philips Medical Systems, a division of Philips Healthcare, may be unable to deliver needed defibrillator shock in a cardiac emergency situation, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said today in a new safety communication for users of these previously recalled devices.

Huxtable’s Kitchen Issues Voluntary Allergy Alert on Undeclared Allergens in Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin

Huxtable’s Kitchen Inc. of Vernon, California is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash & Creamed Spinach Gratin (SKU 96541) sold in the refrigerated section with “Use By 12/13/13” date, because it may not list wheat and egg in the ingredients. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and egg run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

IQ Formulations Issues a Voluntary Recall of HYDRAVAX Dietary Supplement Due to Possible Undeclared Ingredient

IQ Formulations, of Sunrise, Florida is initiating a precautionary and proactive recall of all lots of its 45-capsule bottles of HYDRAVAX due to potential inclusion of an unlisted ingredient. The FDA has advised IQ Formulations that an analysis of a sample from one lot of HYDRAVAX (Lot # 2458, Exp # 07/16) revealed the presence of an undeclared ingredient – a diuretic.

FDA study helps provide an understanding of rising rates of whooping cough and response to vaccination

A new study is helping to provide a better understanding of vaccines for whooping cough, the common name for the disease pertussis. Based on an animal model, the study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and published November 25, 2013, in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows that acellular pertussis vaccines licensed by the FDA are effective in preventing the disease among those vaccinated, but suggests that they may not prevent infection from the bacteria that causes whooping cough in those vaccinated or its spread to other people, including those who may not be vaccinated.