Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:
Warning Letters Target Illegal Online Sales of Opioid Meds: FDA
Four more online networks that operate 21 websites illegally selling potentially dangerous, unapproved, and misbranded versions of opioid pain medications have been told to immediately stop their sales, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
The order was made in warning letters sent to the networks.
"The illegal online sale of opioids represents a serious risk to Americans and is helping to fuel the opioid crisis. Cutting off this flow of illicit internet traffic in opioids is critical, and we'll continue to pursue all means of enforcement to hinder online drug dealers and curb this dangerous practice," FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said in an Aug. 28 agency news release.
"Today's effort builds on previous actions against the illegal online sale of opioids, for a total of 13 warning letters to more than 70 websites just this summer. The FDA remains resolute in our promise to continue cracking down on these networks to protect the public health. We have more operations underway, and additional actions planned. We are also working closely with legitimate Internet stakeholders, including leading social media sites, in these public health efforts," Gottlieb said.
Americans who buy prescription medicines such as opioids from illegal online pharmacies may be putting their health at risk because the drugs may be counterfeit, contaminated, expired, or otherwise unsafe, according to the FDA.
Along with the health risks, consumers who use illegal online pharmacies face other threats, including credit card fraud, identity theft, and computer viruses.
The companies have 10 working days to respond to the warning letters. If they fail to correct the violations outline in the warning letters, they may face legal enforcement action, the FDA said.
-----
Cheesecake Factory's Breakfast Burrito Tops Latest Xtreme Eating Awards
The Cheesecake Factory's Breakfast Burrito and Chili's Honey-Chipotle Crispers & Waffles are among the most unhealthy dishes you can get at chain restaurants in the United States.
That's according to the latest Xtreme Eating Awards handed out by the Nutrition Action Healthletter, published by the nonprofit advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, The New York Times reported.
The Cheesecake Factory's Breakfast Burrito has 2,730 calories (more than a day's worth), 4,630 milligrams of sodium (two days' worth) and 73 grams of saturated fat (more than three days' worth).
In order to equal that amount of harm to your heart and waistline, you'd have to eat seven of McDonald's sausage McMuffins, according to Nutrition Action.
An average person should consume 2,000 calories a day, including snacks.
Chili's Honey-Chipotle Crispers & Waffles has 2,510 calories, 40 grams of saturated fat, 4,480 milligrams of sodium and 105 grams (26 teaspoons) of sugar. That's the equivalent of eating five Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts with 30 McDonald's Chicken McNuggets and five packets of barbecue sauce, The Times reported.
Another leading threat to you heart is the Cheesecake Factory's pizza that has "Chopped chicken breast coated with bread crumbs, covered with marinara sauce and lots of melted cheese," and "topped with angel hair pasta in an Alfredo cream sauce."
It has 1,870 calories, 55 grams of saturated fat and 3,080 milligrams of sodium.
The all-time Xtreme Eating winner, announced in 2015, is Red Lobster's Create Your Own Combination shrimp meal. To equal its 2,710 calories and 6,530 milligrams of sodium, you'd have to work through a KFC meal of an eight-piece bucket of fried chicken, four side orders of mashed potatoes with gravy, four pieces of corn on the cob and eight packets of buttery spread, The Times reported.
