Friday, August 28, 2015 3:08:41 PM
FDA to Cigarette Makers: Your Products Aren't 'Natural'
The Food and Drug Administration flexed its new muscles against the tobacco industry Thursday, scolding makers of three brands of cigarettes for labels saying they are "natural" or "additive-free".
It issued warning letters to Winston maker ITG Brands LLC; Natural American Spirit maker Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company Inc.; and Nat Sherman maker Sherman's 1400 Broadway N.Y.C. Ltd.
"The FDA has determined that these products, described as 'natural' and 'additive-free' on their labeling, need an FDA modified risk tobacco product order before they can be legally introduced as such into interstate commerce," the agency said in a statement.
Congress gave the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco products in 2009 but the agency has moved very slowly and cautiously. It cannot ban products outright. Its first official action didn't come until 2014, when it ordered a company to stop selling cigarette-like products called bidis.
It's also proposed rules restricting sales of electronic cigarettes to adults 18 and over.
"The FDA's job is to ensure tobacco products are not marketed in a way that leads consumers to believe cigarettes with descriptors like 'additive-free' and 'natural' pose fewer health risks than other cigarettes, unless the claims have been scientifically supported," said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products.
"This action is a milestone, and a reminder of how we use the tools of science-based regulation to protect the U.S. public from the harmful effects of tobacco use."
FDA said a company that wants to claim a product is safer than other tobacco products needs to ask the FDA and submit proof of its claim.
"To date, the FDA has not issued any orders permitting the introduction of modified risk tobacco products into interstate commerce," the agency said.
"This is not the first time the government has had to act to prevent the tobacco industry from using its marketing of the term 'additive-free' in ways that mislead the public," the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids said in a statement.
"There is no question that terms such as additive-free and natural imply a safer cigarette, as confirmed by consumer research and the industry's own documents, and therefore are health claims covered by the FDA Tobacco Act."
Recent XXII News
- Form 3 - Initial statement of beneficial ownership of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/16/2024 10:21:11 PM
- Form S-3 - Registration statement under Securities Act of 1933 • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/16/2024 09:26:21 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/13/2024 05:31:41 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/09/2024 01:14:57 PM
- Form SC 13G/A - Statement of Beneficial Ownership by Certain Investors: [Amend] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/05/2024 08:17:04 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/28/2024 01:00:17 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/21/2024 01:00:13 PM
- Form 253G3 - • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/16/2024 09:27:31 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/16/2024 09:25:39 PM
- Form QUALIF - Notice of Qualification [Regulation A] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/14/2024 04:15:01 AM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/13/2024 10:05:35 AM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/13/2024 10:00:20 AM
- Form 1-A/A - Offering Statement [Regulation A]: [Amend] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/08/2024 09:00:39 PM
- Form 1-A - Offering Statement [Regulation A] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/02/2024 09:07:03 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/30/2024 08:46:31 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/22/2024 08:30:17 PM
- Form S-8 - Securities to be offered to employees in employee benefit plans • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/10/2024 09:01:20 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 06/04/2024 09:00:16 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/30/2024 08:05:23 PM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/15/2024 10:08:59 AM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/10/2024 09:22:05 PM
- Form 424B3 - Prospectus [Rule 424(b)(3)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 05/09/2024 08:30:44 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/15/2024 09:30:52 PM
- Form SC 13G - Statement of acquisition of beneficial ownership by individuals • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 02/14/2024 09:10:59 PM
VHAI - Vocodia Partners with Leading Political Super PACs to Revolutionize Fundraising Efforts • VHAI • Sep 19, 2024 11:48 AM
Dear Cashmere Group Holding Co. AKA Swifty Global Signs Binding Letter of Intent to be Acquired by Signing Day Sports • DRCR • Sep 19, 2024 10:26 AM
HealthLynked Launches Virtual Urgent Care Through Partnership with Lyric Health. • HLYK • Sep 19, 2024 8:00 AM
Element79 Gold Corp. Appoints Kevin Arias as Advisor to the Board of Directors, Strengthening Strategic Leadership • ELMGF • Sep 18, 2024 10:29 AM
Mawson Finland Limited Further Expands the Known Mineralized Zones at Rajapalot: Palokas step-out drills 7 metres @ 9.1 g/t gold & 706 ppm cobalt • MFL • Sep 17, 2024 9:02 AM
PickleJar Announces Integration With OptCulture to Deliver Holistic Fan Experiences at Venue Point of Sale • PKLE • Sep 17, 2024 8:00 AM