FOLLOWING BROWN’S URGING, U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ACTION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM THE DANGERS OF DEADLY POWDERED CAFFEINE – Following U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) persistent calls to ban the retail sale of powdered caffeine and require better product labels, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warning letters to five powdered caffeine distributors, requiring them to revise their labels to clarify serving sizes, potency, and risks associated with the use of powdered caffeine.

Following a New York Times report that detailed the prevalent use of caffeine inhalers to deliver powdered caffeine, Brown led a letter along with five of his Senate colleagues in July urging the FDA to ban the sale and marketing of powdered caffeine for retail use. U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) cosigned the letter.

“Even a small amount of powdered caffeine can injure and even kill those who accidently ingest too much. But too many who use it don’t know its risks,” said Brown. “Today’s action by the FDA will help protect consumers from this dangerous product. By requiring distributors of powdered caffeine to revise their labels and provide accurate and complete information to consumers, we can help save lives. While these warning letters are is a step in the right direction toward protecting consumers, I’ll continue my push to ban this product for retail sale.”

BUSINESS PROFILES ANNOUNCED – Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted announced “Healthy Living” as this month’s highlight in the Ohio Business Profile Program. Featured businesses help Ohioans reach their goals of maintaining a healthy lifestyle by providing products and services such as wholesome food choices and resources to maintain an active life.

“Each year, Ohio’s statistics in national health studies worsen, which increases healthcare costs and harms our productivity, but what’s worse is that it reduces the quality of life potential that each person has,” Secretary Husted said. “With a new school year upon us, my family is renewing our commitment to fostering a healthy lifestyle and we’re highlighting businesses this month that can help.”

According to a 2013 study conducted by Trust for America’s Health, in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Ohio’s obesity rate is over 30 percent with more than 10 percent of the population suffering from diabetes and more than 730,000 cases of heart disease.

Companies profiled this month include:

· Northstar Café (Franklin County, Ohio) was established in 2004 and prepares casual cuisine in the unique, urban ambience of Ohio’s Capital City. Their commitment to pure and natural dining is rooted in Ohio soil and their Central Ohio location offers the opportunity to connect directly with thriving organic farms.

· Pulse Yoga/Fitness Studio (Union County, Ohio) is a locally-owned, family-operated business that specializes in yoga and other fitness classes as well as a boutique of local, handmade treasures.

· Grace Green Beauty (Butler County, Ohio) offers an organic, hand-crafted line of beauty products that focuses on natural beauty using organic ingredients in lieu of traditional, mass-produced products. The company also offers a recycling program and work to give back to their community by donating a portion of their profits to a new, worthy cause each month.

· Specialty Fitness Equipment (Cuyahoga County, Ohio) is a premier provider of commercial, medical and home fitness equipment that specializes in catering to individuals’ unique needs by caring for the entire process from design, installation and aftercare. They are increasingly becoming the suppliers of multifamily and student housing facilities.

· Native Cold Pressed (Franklin County, Ohio) focuses primarily on crafting 100 percent raw, organic, cold-pressed juices. The business presses hundreds of pounds of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs every day, on-site. They also host and teach “Yoga Brunch,” which is a monthly event that includes a morning of yoga, juice and a gourmet brunch.

· Inhale Yoga Studio (Athens County, Ohio) encourages people to “LIVE freely, BREATHE deeply and CONNECT fully” both on and off the yoga mat. They offer yoga classes, Thai Massage and infrared sauna treatment. The business is actively involved in the community through support for My Sister’s Place, Southeastern Ohio Food Bank and The Athens Food Pantry.

· Rare Air Fitness (Wayne County, Ohio) encourages individuals and families in the community to remove barriers that hold them back from the life and body they desire through fitness and nutrition coaching. They aim to meet this goal by bringing the workout and coaching directly to their customers, whether in-home, in-office, or at their gym through online coaching tools.

· Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve (Cuyahoga County, Ohio) is dedicated to crafting high quality, organic skin and hair products to nourish the skin while reducing environmental impact. They work to reduce the presence of harmful chemicals from the family home that are present in many hygiene products.

· The Greenhouse Tavern (Cuyahoga County, Ohio) is a certified “green” restaurant offering a wide range of gastropub fare, made with seasonal ingredients from local farmers and purveyors. Their award-winning kitchen staff offers an evolving menu of imaginative and flavorful dishes that push culinary boundaries while remaining approachable.