FDA Consumer Health Information Updates

When consumed by women before and during pregnancy, folic acid, a B vitamin, may help prevent neural tube defects (NTDs).

From blood to vaccines, FDA protects and advances the public health by ensuring that biological products are safe, effective, and available to those who need them. Read these Consumer Updates to learn more.

Tobacco comes in many forms, from cigars and cigarettes to smokeless tobacco and dissolvable nicotine products. FDA works to reduce the use of these products, and the harm that they cause. To learn more read these Consumer Updates.

Consumer articles about medical devices.

Timely articles and multimedia content about food and food-safety.

Consumer articles about over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

At the FDA, we rely on our many advisory committees to help us make sound decisions based on the best science available. Advisory committees give our own FDA experts outside, independent, and professional advice on various complex scientific, technical, and policy issues.

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics have contributed to antibiotic resistance, a phenomenon that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of antibiotics

Safety Reporting Portal allows you to tell FDA about health, quality, or safety issues with tobacco products, including products containing nicotine from any source. Reports about tobacco-related health or product problems can help FDA to identify and monitor known and emerging safety issues.

The Nutrition Facts Label on food packaging is an important and easy way to get essential information to help you make healthy food choices. These FDA Consumer Updates are also a great resource for more nutrition facts, and other helpful information about the food you eat.

Dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA as food, not as drugs. However, many dietary supplements contain ingredients that have strong biological effects which may conflict with a medicine you are taking or a medical condition you may have. Products containing hidden drugs are also sometimes fal

There continues to be interest in a drug called ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans. The FDA has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals.

Consumer articles from FDA about animal health and veterinary medicine.

If you have questions about vaccines, visit the FDA’s guide for parents and caregivers. It describes the routinely administered vaccines for children and provides answers to commonly asked questions.

Fraudulent products that claim to cure, treat, or prevent COVID-19 haven’t been evaluated by the FDA for safety and effectiveness and might be dangerous to you and your family.

Kids aren't just small adults. From diet and nutrition to their reactions to medicine, their bodies are unique. Read these Consumer Updates to learn more.

Assessing the safety of additives and other chemicals in food includes scientific study of how much of a chemical is in a food and how much we're likely to eat.

A look at what makes your milk and dairy safe, and the 100-year history behind it.

The best way to dispose of your expired, unwanted, or unused medicines is through a drug take back program. Or you can do it at home. Check the FDA flush list.

Consumer articles about cosmetics.