Notebook

The Notebook: a potpourri of items of interest gathered from FDA news releases, other news sources, and the Federal Register (designated FR, with date of publication). The Federal Register is available in many public libraries.

Two proposed food labeling rules about nutrient content claims have had comment periods extended to July 18. In "Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims, General Principles; Health Claims, General Requirements and Other Special Requirements for Individual Health Claims," FDA proposes to provide flexibility for certain claims. In "Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims, Definition of the Term: Healthy," FDA proposes to allow certain processed fruits, vegetables, and enriched cereal-grain products to be labeled as "healthy." Comments may be sent to the Dockets Management Branch, FDA, Room 1-23, 12420 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD 20857. (FR March 22)

On food labels, the term "extra" may now be substituted for "added," says FDA in a final rule. The agency granted use of the term in response to a citizen petition. (FR March 22)

Lead-based paint in homes built before 1978 must now be disclosed to prospective buyers or renters, according to an EPA-HUD final rule effective last March 6. Sellers and people offering homes for rent must provide a federally approved lead hazard information pamphlet. Also, sellers must give buyers 10 days to inspect the property for lead-based paint before being obligated by a purchase contract. (FR March 6)

Increased immune response to TB proteins occurred in mice given a genetically engineered version of tuberculosis (TB) vaccine known as bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. In its standard form, BCG is the only TB vaccine currently available. A study sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases used genetic engineering methods to insert genes for five immune-stimulating compounds into the BCG organism. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1996)

If livestock are implanted with identifying electronic devices, the devices should be placed in an inedible portion of the animal unless a human food additive regulation for implantation in an edible area has been published, FDA warns. Noncompliance would render food adulterated and subject to regulatory action. The devices are valuable because they allow FDA to trace a slaughtered animal to its source when drug residues or contaminants are found in edible tissue. (FDA Veterinarian, March/April 1996)

Understanding the brain is the subject of a new volume of research papers available for nonspecialists. Containing information about the brain's role in learning, memory and language, the volume includes selections from the proceedings of symposia sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Library of Congress. "Neuroscience, Memory, and Language" is available for $26 from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. Specify stock number SIN 030-001-00149-1. For more information, phone (202) 512-1800.

Black tea, fruits, and other foods containing compounds known as flavanoids may protect against stroke if consumed on a regular, long-term basis. In a study of 552 men, aged 50 to 69, those who drank more than 4.7 cups of tea per day had a 69 percent reduced risk of stroke, compared with those who drank less than 2.6 cups per day. (AMA Archives of Internal Medicine, March 25)

Calcium supplementation can reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy, according to a recent study in which researchers at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, analyzed 14 studies from 1966 to 1994. (Journal of the American Medical Association, April 9)

FDA Consumer magazine (June 1996)