FDA proposes mandatory front-of-package nutrition label; residents of unburned homes report health symptoms months following wildfires; opioid pain medications rarely prescribed to NFL players – Morning Medical Update

© Alena Kryazheva – stock.adobe.com

FDA proposes requiring at-a-glance nutrition information on the front of packaged foods

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a mandatory front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label, referred to as the “Nutrition Info box,” to provide quick, visible information on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars in packaged foods, categorizing them as “Low,” “Med” or “High.” Part of a broader federal effort to combat chronic diseases, the initiative aims to empower consumers with at-a-glance data to make healthier dietary choices. Robert M. Califf, MD, commissioner of the FDA, emphasized the label’s potential to curb diet-related illnesses, while encouraging manufacturers to reformulate products. If finalized, the rule would phase in over three to four years based on company size, with public comments accepted until May 16, 2025.

“The science on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars is clear,” Califf said in an FDA release. “Nearly everyone knows or care for someone with a chronic disease this is due, in part, to the food we eat. It is time we make it easier for consumers to glance, grab and go. Adding [FOP] nutrition labeling to most packaged foods would do that. We are fully committed to pulling all the levers available to the FDA to make nutrition information readily accessible as part of our efforts to promote public health.”

Residents of homes unaffected by wildfires report health symptoms months later

A study published in ACS ES&T Air revealed that residents of unburned homes near the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder, Colorado, reported persistent health symptoms, including headaches, sore throats and coughs, months following the fire. Researchers from the University of Colorado, Boulder, surveyed more than 1,000 individuals and found a correlation between symptoms and proximity to burned structures, smoke damage and ash inside homes. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by burning human-made materials were identified as potential contributors. The findings underscore the need for clearer guidelines on returning home safety following wildfires and mitigating indoor air contamination.

Opioid pain medications are infrequently prescribed to NFL players, study says

A study published in Current Sports Medicine Reports found that National Football League (NFL) players are rarely prescribed opioid pain medications for football-related injuries, with opioids accounting for less than 3% of pain prescriptions in 2021 and 2022. The majority of prescriptions (86%) were for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen or naproxen. Researchers attribute the low opioid use to increased awareness of safer pain management practices and the implementation of the NFL-NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The findings contrast sharply with a 2011 survey, which found widespread opioid use and misuse among retired NFL players, reflecting evolving prescription guidelines and efforts to prioritize player health.