Tag:FDA
Cooking in the Dark: The Rise and Fall of Ghost Kitchens
Online food delivery is a growing industry worth over $240 billion, serving consumers who appreciate eating their favorite meals from the comfort of their home. Ghost kitchens are one way restaurant entrepreneurs are taking advantage of this growing market. Ghost kitchens operate as takeout and delivery only venues, needing only a fraction of traditional restaurant space to operate. Today there are over 7,000 businesses in the ghost kitchen industry in the United States. This model was embraced by celebrities like Mr. Beast and large restaurant chains, including Chili’s, and was particularly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. While these kitchens operate in the dark, they are still responsible for complying with food quality and safety rules like traditional restaurants. However, this has proven to be difficult and resulted in closures – and even lawsuits. Ghost kitchens require greater investigation and monitoring from governmental agencies to better meet consumer concerns.
Why San Francisco’s Lawsuit Should Be a Turning Point in the Regulation of Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods are causing chronic health issues in Americans. The FDA regulates 80% of food products in the United States, yet there is little regulation regarding ultra-processed foods. Cities across the U.S. are taking their own steps towards regulation in order to protect their residents. San Francisco’s recent lawsuit marks an important step forward in regulating ultra-processed foods here in the United States. This lawsuit could be a turning point in regulation for the U.S., as it highlights the dangers of ultra-processed foods, the effects lackluster regulation has on communities, and how transparency can create a healthy step forward for Americans.
The Cost of Beauty: Chemical Compliance in Cosmetics
Have you ever considered the cost of beauty? The health cost, not the financial one, although both are considerably pricey. A bonded lash, a swipe of nail polish, a hair straightening treatment, and many other cosmetic and personal care products may contain harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde – a colorless carcinogen – or formaldehyde-releasers, like methylene glycol or dimethyl hydantoin (DMDM).
Dire Wolves Highlight Dire Need for De-extinction Regulation
On April 7, 2025, Colossal Biosciences announced that it had successfully created dire wolves, a species that had been extinct for over 10,000 years, in what is considered a breakthrough in the science of de-extinction. Although it sounds like a work of science fiction, Colossal used dire wolf DNA found in a 13,000-year-old tooth and a 72,000-year-old ear bone to make 20 edits to the DNA of modern gray wolves leading to the birth of 3 dire wolf puppies in the fall and winter of 2024. While the science community both celebrates the breakthroughs in genetic engineering, considers the benefits that this technology can have on modern endangered species, and debates the validity of calling genetically modified gray wolves true dire wolves, it is clear that the regulatory framework of the United States is not yet sufficiently prepared to examine the legal and ethical considerations that come with de-extinction technologies. Though dire wolves were the breakthrough, they are not the end goal for Colossal as it now turns its focus to other popular extinct species such as the wooly mammoth, dodo bird, and Tasmanian tiger. To adequately keep up with these changes in genetic and environmental science, the United States must act quickly to develop an agile multi-agency regulatory framework that can guide the country and world as a whole safely into the new age of de-extinction.
Operation Stork Speed: A Great Opportunity if Executed Correctly
In March, the FDA announced Operation Stork Speed in response to a Consumer Reports investigation which found traces of toxic chemicals in baby formula. Secretary of HHS, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has directed the FDA to begin several new initiatives and increase the scrutiny of testing to find ways to have better access to safe baby formula. Operation Stork Speed will begin a comprehensive review of the nutrient list that is currently approved by the FDA and increase labeling transparency with industry. Although created in response to the Consumer Reports findings, a ProPublica investigation published on April 4th has led to concerning claims about unsanitary practices within an Abbot Labs factory. The same Michigan-based factory that shutdown in 2022, after reports of infant hospitalizations and deaths due to this facility’s formula, causing a nationwide shortage. Given the added issues with the factory, if done correctly, Operation Stork Speed could begin to solve the safety issues that have recently plagued the baby formula industry.
Trump’s MAHA Commission: What to Expect
President Trump’s return to the White House has sparked a lot of controversy as he takes extensive executive action and appoints contentious figures to his cabinet. At the top of the list of most controversial is arguably the newly confirmed Secretary of Human Health and Services, Robert Kennedy Jr., because of his skepticism towards vaccines and pharmaceutical drugs like Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), used to treat various mental disorders. Despite criticisms, Kennedy gained a large following during his 2024 presidential campaign, where he founded the Make America Healthy Again movement and advocated for public health policies that make American food healthier and end the chronic disease epidemic in this country. Aligned with these initiatives, President Trump has taken extensive action in the first sixty days of his second term to reform public health policy. Among these changes is the newly created Make America Healthy Again Commission, which is chaired by Secretary Kennedy and consists of other cabinet and high-ranking executive officials. The Commission is initially tasked with addressing the childhood chronic disease crisis, specifically targeting nutrition, prescription drug misuse, and government transparency related to ethics and public trust.
Subsidized Addiction: America’s Sweet Problem
Today, Americans are becoming more aware and concerned about the additives in their food that have carcinogenic and other adverse health effects. This increased scrutiny in American nutrition, particularly for children, has been spearheaded by the “Make America Healthy Again” Movement, which seeks higher standards in regulations of what is allowed in food and more transparency for food products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is shifting in the same direction of promulgating stricter food standards, as it recently finalized rules banning the artificial food additive Red No. 3 and updating the standards manufacturers must meet to advertise as “healthy.” However, while agencies and activists work to keep chemical and artificial additives out of American foods, a glaring issue remains. Americans have a sugar addiction problem, and the government is their enablers.
Glass Skin Meets Red Tape: How Korean Beauty Navigates FDA Rules
Among the trends of self-care lies skincare. As self-care has increased in popularity over the last few years, skincare has become increasingly trendy. In 2022, there was a boost in skincare sales with products such as anti-aging products and moisturizers. In the skincare industry, there are known and established brands, but what has recently emerged through popularity on social media and TikTok is Korean beauty (“K-beauty”) products. K-beauty products help consumers achieve “glass skin,” which is clear, poreless, and shiny skin that looks like glass by using specific K-beauty products. In the states, sunscreen is a staple K-beauty product that has emerged.
From Lab to Table: The Future of Regulating Lab-Grown Meat
Human organs grown in labs, lab-grown diamonds, lab-grown plants, and now lab-grown meat. Companies like Upside Foods and GOOD Meat are growing meat from animal cells. Companies have developed a cell line to produce high-quality meat, grow and feed the cells with a “blend of nutrients,” and in two to three weeks, meat is ready to be cultivated and molded into the shape of meat, like a chicken filet. Now, lab-grown meat is commercialized and has been approved by the Agriculture Department for production and sale. Although it could be a few years until lab-produced meat is in grocery stores, regulations need to be approved and put into place just like slaughterhouse meat.
Have a Safe Trip: How Psychedelic Therapy in Oregon and Colorado Could Guide National Legalization
As the mental health crisis continues to challenge the United States, the need for innovative treatments is becoming increasingly evident. Psychedelic therapy, using substances like psilocybin and MDMA, is gaining attention as a promising approach to treating conditions such as post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Oregon and Colorado have pioneered the movement toward legalizing psychedelics for therapeutic use, and their progressive policies have the potential to provide a roadmap for the rest of the country. The question arises: should the entire U.S. follow in their footsteps? Oregon and Colorado’s frameworks could serve as a model for other states seeking to legalize psychedelics in therapeutic settings.