Here are some of the latest health and medical news
developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
'Gluten-Free' Food Standard Being Finalized by FDA
A standard definition for gluten-free foods is being finalized
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
It's expected that foods claiming to be gluten free would be
required to have no more than 20 parts per million gluten, which is
the European standard,
ABC News reported.
The purpose of the standard is to protect the 1.5 million to 3
million Americans with celiac disease, a genetic disorder that
causes an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in grains such as
wheat, rye and barley. It's also found in many processed foods,
soups, sauces and salad dressings.
In the U.S., sales of food products labeled as "gluten-free"
totalled nearly $3 billion a year,
ABC News reported.
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Giffords Returns to House for Debt-Limit Bill Vote
Seven months after being shot in the head by a would-be
assassin, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the House Monday to
cast her vote on the debt-limit bill.
She used one hand to greet colleagues while her other hand
remained at her side. She responded to the warm welcome from other
lawmakers with a smile and mouthed "thank you" several times, the
Associated Press reported.
The Arizona Democrat wore glasses and her hair was dark and
closely cropped. She left the House chamber by the east door and
required the support of an aide as she walked with obvious
difficulty.
Giffords, who was accompanied by her husband Mark Kelly, did not
respond to reporters' questions, the
AP said.
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Brownies With Melatonin Unsafe: FDA
Melatonin-laced "Lazy Larry" brownies are unsafe and may be
seized from store shelves, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
said in a warning letter sent to the Memphis-based company that
makes the brownies.
Melatonin is a hormone that helps control the sleep-wake cycle.
The brownies can make people sleepy and are advertised by HBB LLC
as a stress reliever. Until July, the brownies were called "Lazy
Cakes," the
Associated Press reported.
The brownies are sold in some convenience stores and online
through HBB's website.
The FDA says melatonin is not a safe food additive and the
brownies are considered "adulterated" because they contain the
hormone. The agency said it can seize the brownies if HBB continues
to make and market them.
Company executives are reviewing the warning letter with
lawyers, an HBB spokeswoman told the
AP Monday.
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