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. It is also available electronically through GPO Access at the Government Printing Office.

Some dairy products that contain more than 1 percent fat, such as "2%" milk, may no longer use the term "lowfat" on the label, according to an FDA final rule. Instead, these products must be labeled "reduced fat." Products with 1 percent or less fat may continue to be labeled "lowfat." "Skim" will mean the same as "nonfat."

Effective January 1998, the rule holds dairy products to the same standards as low-fat claims for other foods, under the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990. (FR Nov. 20)

Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, can spread as easily from women to men as from men to women, according to the National Institutes of Health. Over a four-year period, NIH researchers tested 494 couples involved in heterosexual partnerships. The study was the first to use both the traditional cell culture test and the newer polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for chlamydial genital infections.

Cell culture testing showed chlamydia in 8.5 percent of male participants and 12.9 percent of females. But PCR testing found the disease in 14.2 percent of males and 15.8 percent of females.

An estimated 50 million cases of chlamydia occur each year. The infections are associated with such diseases as pelvic inflammatory disease, which can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancy. (Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 3)

"Extralabel" uses of certain approved animal and human drugs may be prescribed for animals, according to an FDA final rule. The rule is intended to give veterinarians greater flexibility in prescribing drugs.

There are restrictions, though. For example, an extralabel use may not be prescribed for food animals if this would result in residues that could be a public risk. Also prohibited from extralabel use are nine drugs, including clenbuterol, diethylstilbestrol (DES), and ipronidazole.

The rule went into effect Dec. 9. (FR Nov. 7)

A food's fat content listed on its label could be based on the reduced availability of fat to the body from a fat substitute in the food, according to an FDA proposed rule. The proposal stems from a petition filed by Nabisco Group. This proposal takes into account that some fat substitutes can limit the amount of fat and fatty acids the body absorbs from foods.

Written comments on the proposal must be submitted by April 21, 1997, to the FDA Dockets Management Branch, HFA-305, 12420 Parklawn Drive, Room 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. (FR Dec. 20)

Selenium supplements may help protect against cancers of the lung, colon, rectum, and prostate, according to a University of Arizona study of 1,312 patients.

The study initially examined whether selenium could prevent two types of skin cancer, but found no reduction in incidence. However, midway through the study, researchers decided to evaluate selenium's value in preventing other types of cancers and in reducing cancer deaths.

When cancer cases were studied over an average 4.5 years in groups given either daily 200-microgram supplements of selenium or a placebo, the selenium group had 37 percent fewer cancers and a 50 percent reduction in cancer deaths. Selenium users had 63 percent fewer prostate cancers, 58 percent fewer colorectal cancers, and 46 percent fewer lung cancers. (Journal of the American Medical Association, Dec. 25)

Recurring vaginal infections may be helped by a daily diet of 5 ounces (141.75 grams) of yogurt containing the live bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus, according to an Israeli study. Researchers gave 23 patients yogurt containing the live bacteria. Another 23 patients ate yogurt that had been pasteurized, which kills the bacteria. The group eating the live bacteria yogurt had significantly fewer cases of vaginal infections than the pasteurized group. For example, cases of bacterial vaginosis in the live cultures group dropped from 60 percent in the first month to 20 to 28 percent in the second month. (Archives of Family Medicine, Nov-Dec 1996)

FDA Consumer magazine (March 1997)