Sound off on new tobacco rules
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is seeking input on its “historic” new authority overseeing tobacco products.
The new legislation is meant to save the lives of smokers and prevent young people from starting the habit, according to lawmakers.
The FDA is seeking comments on a variety of related topics, from product content to advertising and marketing, according to a notice in the Federal Register.
“We’re interested in receiving input from across the country as the FDA begins to implement this important new authority intended to reduce the enormous toll of suffering and death caused by tobacco products in the United States,” said Dr. Margaret A. Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs. “We look forward to the public’s response.”
Click here for more information about the new tobacco regulations.
Safe online shopping
A military veteran called the Watchdog Team today and left us with a valuable piece of advice.
He’d gone to the Army and Air Force Exchange Service Web site and purchased several watches and pendants to give out as gifts to his family. He said the descriptions of the items were convincing and the seller compared everything to costly, well-known products.
Of course, when he received the items, they were anything but. he said he paid a fair price, but didn’t get what he thought he was purchasing.
Save your money, if you want to buy something look at it first,” he said.
But he brings up another good point–just because a well-known and trusted source like AAFES hosts an auction doesn’t necessarily mean the seller is on the up and up.
Know what you’re buying, from whom you are buying, use good judgement and know how the system you’re bidding on works. If necessary, buy shipping insurance and look into other buyer protection programs.
For more information about shopping online safely go here.
For more auction tips, go to this Web site.
No money, no justice?
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has stopped testing DNA evidence in thousands of sexual assault cases because it is out of money, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The sheriff says he can no longer afford to send evidence to private labs to be analyzed, leaving thousands of cases in jeopardy unless more money becomes available.
Scary report on gun purchases
The Christian Science Monitor is reporting that about 900 people on the FBI’s terrorist watch list have passed background checks to buy a gun.
That is kind of worrisome no matter how you feel about the Second Amendment, isn’t it?
Cookie dough recall
Nestle Friday announced the voluntary recall of prepackaged Toll House refrigerated cookie dough.
The recall coincides with a statement from The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control warning people not to eat the cookie dough because it is contaminated with E-coli bacteria.
The bacteria causes food-borne illness and can cause cramping, vomiting and diarrhea.
According to Nestle’s Web site, the dough can be returned to grocers for a full refund.
For more information on the recall click here.
For a list of products recalled click here.
For more information from Nestle, click here.
FDA recalls Stamina-RX
Stamina-RX
The Food and Drug Administration and the company Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Monday announced the voluntary recall of the supplement Stamina-RX.
Consumers are urged to stop using the product and to contact the FDA and the manufacturer with any adverse effects from the supplement.
The FDA’s lab in May found an undeclared ingredient in the supplement. The chemical, called benzamidenafil, is included in the same class of drugs as those used to treat erectile dysfunction.
The chemical is not FDA approved and could pose a threat to individuals taking certain medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and heart disease.
According to the FDA, Stamina-Rx is not generally recognized as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in its labeling.
The labeling at issue was advertising primarily done through Web sites and print media.
For more information and contact info click here .
For more information about supplements, go to this article by the Mayo Clinic.
Get it up front, in writing
I received a phone call today from an 18-year-old who recently tried to purchase a car. She went to a used auto dealership in Edmond, checked out the lot and decided on a $10,000 beauty.
Of course, the salesman was friendly, approving her credit initially and asking her to provide bank statements, references, job history, a phone bill and proof of current insurance.
He accepted a $1,000 deposit to hold the car and gave her a receipt. The sale was not complete, however, as she still needed to go through the entire credit approval process.
Days later, knowing her credit would probably be denied (and going off of advice from her parents), the woman decided to not move forward with the purchase. She returned to the dealership and asked for her money back.
The auto dealer surprised her by saying no.
After a visit from the woman’s father, a call from the Better Business Bureau and an interview with a nosey watchdog reporter, the dealer changed his mind and returned her money.
No one even had to throw the book at him.
A quick call to the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle and Parts Commission and I learned why. The salesman hadn’t followed the law.
If an auto dealer sells a used car, they must specify whether or not that deposit is nonrefundable on the receipt.
On the receipt. So there is no question at all. Doesn’t matter if there was a verbal agreement, it has to be written on the receipt.
Lesson learned. And for anyone who has any questions or concerns about purchasing a used automobile, go to the Used Motor Vehicle and Parts Commission’s Web site.
The Oklahoman’s Watchdog Team: Looking out for you. Visit NewsOK.com/watchdog
Have a Watchdog Team tip? Email Vallery at Vbrown@opubco.com
