The US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday proposed draft guidance to reduce the amount of lead in packaged food meant for babies up to two years of age. Launched as part of the agency's 'Closer to Zero' action plan, the guidance seeks to "provide information to industry on the action levels for lead in food intended for babies and young children."

As per the NY Times, the draft guidance would not be mandatory for food manufacturers. However, if adopted, they would help the FDA to take enforcement action against companies that stray from the levels prescribed.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Study finds babies are full of microplastics

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It has recommended no more than 10 parts per billion fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain and meat-based mixtures), yoghurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats. Additionally, for root vegetables and dry infant cereals, the limit has been recommended at 20 parts per billion.

As per FDA, the limits "would result in significant reductions in exposures to lead from food while ensuring availability of nutritious foods".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/some-baby-foods-have-high-levels-of-toxic-heavy-metals-us-report-finds-361533">Some baby foods have high levels of toxic heavy metals, US report finds</a>

FDA estimates that the proposed levels would bring about a 25 per cent reduction in dietary exposure to lead for some young children.

However, not everyone is happy with the guidelines. &nbsp;Quoting Jane Houlihan, research director for the nonprofit Healthy Babies Bright Futures, NY Post says they are disappointing.

"It doesn’t go far enough to protect babies from neurodevelopmental damage from lead exposures," said Houlihan.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/johnson-johnson-to-stop-selling-its-cancer-causing-talc-based-baby-powder-globally-in-2023-506072">Johnson &amp; Johnson to stop selling its talc-based baby powder globally in 2023 as lawsuits mount</a>

She added "lead is in almost every baby food" her organisation has tested and said that FDA's action levels "will influence almost none of that food."

The Centers for Disease Control, too, has previously said that there is no safe level of lead for children. As per the agency, children below the age of six absorb the contaminant more readily and are at a greater risk. As per CDC, "there is also evidence that childhood exposure to lead can cause long-term harm."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday proposed draft guidance to reduce the amount of lead in packaged food meant for babies up to two years of age.

The US Foods and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday proposed draft guidance to reduce the amount of lead in packaged food meant for babies up to two years of age. Launched as part of the agency's 'Closer to Zero' action plan, the guidance seeks to "provide information to industry on the action levels for lead in food intended for babies and young children." As per the NY Times, the draft guidance would not be mandatory for food manufacturers. However, if adopted, they would help the FDA to take enforcement action against companies that stray from the levels prescribed. Watch | Gravitas: Study finds babies are full of microplastics It has recommended no more than 10 parts per billion fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain and meat-based mixtures), yoghurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats. Additionally, for root vegetables and dry infant cereals, the limit has been recommended at 20 parts per billion. As per FDA, the limits "would result in significant reductions in exposures to lead from food while ensuring availability of nutritious foods". Also read | Some baby foods have high levels of toxic heavy metals, US report finds FDA estimates that the proposed levels would bring about a 25 per cent reduction in dietary exposure to lead for some young children. However, not everyone is happy with the guidelines. Quoting Jane Houlihan, research director for the nonprofit Healthy Babies Bright Futures, NY Post says they are disappointing. "It doesn’t go far enough to protect babies from neurodevelopmental damage from lead exposures," said Houlihan. Also read | Johnson & Johnson to stop selling its talc-based baby powder globally in 2023 as lawsuits mount She added "lead is in almost every baby food" her organisation has tested and said that FDA's action levels "will influence almost none of that food." The Centers for Disease Control, too, has previously said that there is no safe level of lead for children. As per the agency, children below the age of six absorb the contaminant more readily and are at a greater risk. As per CDC, "there is also evidence that childhood exposure to lead can cause long-term harm." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US FDA 'limits' quantity of disability-causing lead in baby food

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States may halt cancer drugs and other medicines made in China.

The federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services has raised concerns about the studies conducted in China. It raised doubts about whether these studies can apply to patients in the United States.

It comes as the FDA is holding an advisory meeting to review the effectiveness of sintilimab used for cancer immunotherapy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaccine-maker-pfizer-faces-accusations-of-pandemic-profiteering-as-profits-double-451591">Also read |&nbsp;Vaccine maker Pfizer faces accusations of 'pandemic profiteering' as profits double</a>

Developed by Eli Lilly and partner Innovent Biologics, the immunotherapy blocks a protein called PD-1, the same as Merck &amp; Co.'s Keytruda and Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo.&nbsp;

Lilly's application has become a test of the regulator's views on cancer treatments developed and tested exclusively in China.&nbsp;

A handful of companies are using that blueprint in an attempt to speed new therapies to the US market, raising concerns from some of the agency's top cancer drug evaluators.

Previously, the FDA had approved BeiGene Ltd’s lymphoma treatment, validating the China-based drugmaker’s strategy of largely using data from trials held outside the United States to file for approval.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-boost-defences-against-aggressive-china-us-approves-100-million-support-deal-with-taiwan-451360">Also read |&nbsp;To boost defences against aggressive China, US approves $100 million support deal with Taiwan</a>

BeiGene’s treatment is competing with Johnson &amp; Johnson and AbbVie Inc’s Imbruvica and AstraZeneca’s Calquence, as well as Celgene’s Revlimid.

Analysts believe one of the biggest national security threats in the US-China trade war could be to the everyday medicines taken by millions of Americans.

The US&nbsp;relies on imported medicines from China in a big way. Antibiotics, over-the-counter pain meds and the stuff that stops itching and swelling — a lot of it is imported from China.

Former US President Donald Trump had left pharmaceuticals out of the bilateral trade war. He had used national security as a rationale to slap tariffs or trade sanctions on a variety of imports but medical supplies were not scrutinised.

“Medicines can be used as a weapon of war against the United States,” Rosemary Gibson, a senior adviser on health care issues at the bioethics-focused Hastings Centre and co-author of “China Rx: Exposing the Risks of America's Dependence on China for Medicine,” told lawmakers last month.&nbsp;

“Supplies can be withheld. Medicines can be made with lethal contaminants or sold without any real medicine in them, rendering them ineffective.”

(With inputs from agencies)

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States may halt cancer drugs and other medicines made in China. The federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services has raised concerns about the studies conducted in China.

The Food and Drug Administration of the United States may halt cancer drugs and other medicines made in China. The federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services has raised concerns about the studies conducted in China. It raised doubts about whether these studies can apply to patients in the United States. It comes as the FDA is holding an advisory meeting to review the effectiveness of sintilimab used for cancer immunotherapy. Also read | Vaccine maker Pfizer faces accusations of 'pandemic profiteering' as profits double Developed by Eli Lilly and partner Innovent Biologics, the immunotherapy blocks a protein called PD-1, the same as Merck & Co.'s Keytruda and Bristol Myers Squibb's Opdivo. Lilly's application has become a test of the regulator's views on cancer treatments developed and tested exclusively in China. A handful of companies are using that blueprint in an attempt to speed new therapies to the US market, raising concerns from some of the agency's top cancer drug evaluators. Previously, the FDA had approved BeiGene Ltd’s lymphoma treatment, validating the China-based drugmaker’s strategy of largely using data from trials held outside the United States to file for approval. Also read | To boost defences against aggressive China, US approves $100 million support deal with Taiwan BeiGene’s treatment is competing with Johnson & Johnson and AbbVie Inc’s Imbruvica and AstraZeneca’s Calquence, as well as Celgene’s Revlimid. Analysts believe one of the biggest national security threats in the US-China trade war could be to the everyday medicines taken by millions of Americans. The US relies on imported medicines from China in a big way. Antibiotics, over-the-counter pain meds and the stuff that stops itching and swelling — a lot of it is imported from China. Former US President Donald Trump had left pharmaceuticals out of the bilateral trade war. He had used national security as a rationale to slap tariffs or trade sanctions on a variety of imports but medical supplies were not scrutinised. “Medicines can be used as a weapon of war against the United States,” Rosemary Gibson, a senior adviser on health care issues at the bioethics-focused Hastings Centre and co-author of “China Rx: Exposing the Risks of America's Dependence on China for Medicine,” told lawmakers last month. “Supplies can be withheld. Medicines can be made with lethal contaminants or sold without any real medicine in them, rendering them ineffective.” (With inputs from agencies)

United States: FDA poised to tap brakes on China-made cancer drugs

The first COVID-19 test that can be performed entirely at home was cleared by U.S. regulators on Tuesday, and it can be acquired without a prescription.

FDA approves first non-prescription COVID-19 test kit

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US FDA 'limits' quantity of disability-causing lead in baby food

United States: FDA poised to tap brakes on China-made cancer drugs

FDA approves first non-prescription COVID-19 test kit