Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
FDA Objects To Tobacco Makers Marketing Cigarettes As 'Natural'
The Wall Street Journal: FDA Warns Cigarette Makers On ‘Natural’ Labeling
The agency said the warning is the first it has issued for use of those terms. It was sent to: Reynolds American Inc., owner of Natural American Spirit; Imperial Tobacco PLC, owner of Winston; and Sherman’s 1400 Broadway N.Y.C. Ltd., owner of Nat Sherman cigarettes, for its Nat Sherman cigarette brand. “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, in a statement. Reynolds said it is reviewing the FDA’s letter. Nat Sherman declined to comment. (Mickle, 8/27)
The Associated Press: F.D.A. Warns 3 Tobacco Makers About Language Used On Labels
In three separate letters made public on Thursday, the F.D.A. told the manufacturers of the brands that they did not have the agency’s approval to claim that their products were free of certain harmful substances, or that they posed less risk to consumers than other tobacco products. The warnings were sent to ITG Brands, which makes Winston cigarettes; Santa Fe Natural Tobacco, which makes Natural American Spirit; and Sherman’s 1400 Broadway N.Y.C., the maker of Nat Sherman cigarettes. (Abrams, 8/27)
NPR: FDA Warns Tobacco Companies Advertising 'Natural' Cigarettes
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday ordered three tobacco companies to stop claiming their cigarettes are "additive-free" or "natural." The agency said those claims could mislead smokers into thinking those cigarettes are safer than others. (Stein, 8/27)
