U.S. senator begins investigation into treatment of FDA whistleblowers

After six current or former Food and Drug Administration employees complained that their e-mails were being monitored, Senator Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) ordered an investigation into the FDA’s monitoring program aimed at doctors and scientists alarmed that unsafe medical devices were approved. Grassley said, “I write to express my concerns over your agency’s treatment of [...]

Federal judge puts hold on mandatory graphic images for cigarette packages

A federal judge iced attempts of the Food And Drug Administration to require graphic images of the horrific results of smoking on all cigarette packages. The judge granted a temporary injunction on enforcing the new rule until the case is heard in federal court. The tobacco companies argue that the rule requires speech they don’t [...]

Journalists say Obama administration withholding science data

A panel of health and science journalists said that many government agencies key to their investigations are not supporting President Obama’s transparency pledge. Delays in releasing data make it impossible for reporters to meet deadlines. The journalists complained that when requests are made, decisions often have to be made at the highest level of political [...]

Tobacco industry tries again to block graphic labels on cigarette packs with First Amendment argument

The tobacco industry is chafing over the Food and Drug Administration’s mandate for graphic labels on cigarette packages, showing rotting teeth, gums, blackened lungs and the like. The industry is suing in federal court with the argument that the government is forcing them to present the government’s own anti-smoking message, a violation of the First [...]

Mandated graphic images on cigarette packs raise free speech issues

A number of tobacco firms are suing the Food and Drug Administration for forcing them to put images and warnings on cigarette packs warning consumers of the dangers of smoking. Writing for the First Amendment Center, Ken Paulson highlights the importance of the lawsuit, “Courts have long upheld mandated warnings in narrow areas of consumer [...]

FDA whistleblowers claim e-mails deleted illegally

The National Whistleblowers Center and six current and former employees from the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Service are preparing to sue the federal agencies for deleting e-mails and withholding records. The employees are alleging that they reported problems to the agencies including pressure to reverse a decision about [...]

First Amendment: Botox maker to pay $600M to resolve investigation

Allergan Inc., the maker of wrinkle-smoothing Botox, has agreed to pay $600 million to settle a yearslong federal investigation into its marketing of the top-selling, botulin-based drug. The company argued it had a First Amendment right to educate doctors about how to safely use Botox, even for uses that are not currently approved. The Associated [...]

Government Says Gulf Oil Spill Hasn’t Entered Human Seafood Supply. Really Now?

Summary:  While government officials say oil has not reached the food supply, citizens and local fisherman worry that seafood is already highly contaminated and toxic. -SMD BP Gulf Disaster Analysis/Commentary July 4, 2010 By  Simon Atkins On July 1, 2010, April Fulton with NPR (National Public Radio) reported that the government said that the oil from [...]

Kentucky federal judge rules for and against tobacco companies

U.S. District Judge Joseph McKinley, Jr. ruled that the government could not ban tobacco companies’  use of color in text and illustration on labels and in advertising. The judge also found unconstitutional restrictions on statements about the safety of tobacco products but upheld the ban on certain marketing tactics aimed at youth. -DB First Amendment [...]

Feds fail to spread alarm about tainted school lunches

Although tortillas from Chicago’s Del Rey Tortilleria have made children sick in more than 20 schools in recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not issued any warnings to  school officials. The tortillas have been distributed in schools in several states from Wisconsin to Massachusetts. -DB USA TODAY November 16, 2009 By Blake [...]