Category Archives: FDA

Silicone Contamination and the FDA

doctor beautician increases lip patient an injection syringe Spa

Opening soon in theaters across the nation, the movie Wonder, adapted from the eponymous bestseller by R. J. Palacio, is already the subject of intense controversy. The story centers on the character of August Pullman – ‘Auggie’ to his friends – a ten year old boy, about to start school. And Auggie is no ‘normal’ [Read More…]

Clean Meat : Can a Flesh-Based Product Ever Be Considered Contamination-Free?

Food contamination. Food insecurity. GMOs. Frankenfoods. Synthetic products. What’s next to find its way onto our dinner plates? Could it be ‘cultured meat,’ a product that’s disrupting the conventional paradigm of animal agriculture? From Maastricht to Silicon Valley, ‘clean meat’ is the next Big Idea, but what is it and why do we need it? [Read More…]

How is Black Soldier Fly Changing How We Process Trash?

Soldier fly close up

A United Nations study on global food insecurity estimated that the world’s population will reach 9 billion people by 2050. Already over 1 billion individuals live with chronic hunger so how are we going to feed the increasing population? Given that the insect to human ratio is around 200 million to one, perhaps it is [Read More…]

Are Caterpillars The New Cure For The Flu?

Caterpillar on corn

It’s the middle of the year, summer has just kicked off, and many of us are stocking up in preparation for our July 4th celebrations. Just around the corner are pool parties, dogs and burgers on the grill, and firework displays to light the balmy night red, white, and blue. With summer fun ahead, few of [Read More…]

From Biodegradable To Edibly Functional

Family chooses dairy products in shop

The shift from the petroleum economy is underway. With consumers more conscientious about the environmental impact of the items they buy, the days of the plastic-based food container are numbered. While researchers at the USDA are tinkering with milk proteins to engineer an edible plastic film, others are crafting entire plant-based food delivery systems that [Read More…]

Food Contact Surfaces: Spice Manufacturing

Spices and bottles

Look a little closer at the origin of your turmeric, garlic powder, or cinnamon and you might find disturbing additions of contamination. Salmonella bacteria and lead contamination have led to recent recalls of herbs and spices destined for your plate. Over on our sister site Food-Contact-Surfaces.com we examine contamination in the world of spice manufacturing. [Read More…]

Supplement Mislabeling – More Bang for your Buck or A Clear and Present Danger to Health?

Sexual problems logo

Traditionally, New Years resolutions are more subjective and personal commitments. We dedicate ourselves to losing the ten pounds that crept on over the holidays, quitting junk food, taking up running, or finally kicking nicotine to the curb. In short, they’re health-related commitments that improve our lives in tangible, measurable, and personal ways. And improving our [Read More…]

Could Neuroprosthetics Offer Hope to Patients with Spinal Cord Trauma?

monkey

It has to be said: the human body is an amazing and ingenious piece of biological equipment. When it suffers an incision, it self-heals; when it is damaged, it can – at times – regenerate. And when its central command control – the brain – is impaired, it will oftentimes re-route communications via different parts [Read More…]

Is Bigger Necessarily Better?

stem cells

No-one wants to imagine the unimaginable. You feel vaguely unwell but can’t quite put your finger on the cause. Your significant other pushes you to make that doctor’s appointment – ‘just to put your mind at ease.’ Your family doctor runs a few tests and, ‘without wanting to alarm you unduly,’ refers you up the [Read More…]

Filet Mignon for Fido? Just Hold the Extras!

doggy-eating

Another recall in the food industry.  We were starting to recover from scandals involving cookie dough (Listeria monocytogenes, Aspen Hills, Inc.), popcorn chicken (‘extraneous materials,’ Tyson Foods) and preserved lemons (undeclared sulphites, Roland Foods, LLC) another case of product contamination hits the headlines. And this time it impacts a very discerning segment of the consumer [Read More…]