Wow, just... wow...

Ok, headline of a article you never expect to see
FDA Blasts General Mills Over Cheerios Claim

Now you see a headline like that you would seriously think its from the Onion or someone over at nihlist hacked into a site (cheap shot I know, I just can't help myself sometimes) oh but wait it gets better
Cereal Makers Scolded Because Claim Of Lowering Cholesterol 10 Percent In Month Makes It A "Drug"

Um... I had been thinking about this for awhile and on top of FML and Failblog fridays (sorry about the lack of them the past few weeks, I will be starting it up again on friday) I am going to introduce a new perodic segment called "were done as a society" This will be part one. I am also borrowing/ripping off another idea and making it my own (god bless the net!) this time from a local KFAN radio host called Dan Barriero. Here's the rest of the article, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to go drink some bleach and pound my head against the wall until I forget about this story.

The Food and Drug Administration scolded the makers of Cheerios about the way they promote the cereal's health benefits. The FDA sent a letter of warning to General Mills accusing them of making unauthorized health claims.

Current boxes of Cheerios are touting what the company calls exciting news -- the cereal's ability to help lower cholesterol 10 percent in one month.

"My mother actually eats it every day, seven days a week for breakfast to lower her cholesterol," Staten Island resident Lauren Schwam said.

According to a letter from the FDA General Mills' advertising violates the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The agency said claims that Cheerios ingredients can lower cholesterol within a certain amount of time, all while providing cancer-fighting and heart-healthy benefits, essentially makes Cheerios "a drug" by their definition. And no drug in this country can be legally marketed without an approved new drug application.

As a certified dietetic nutritionist, Keri Glassman often recommends foods high in soluble fiber for patients looking to lower their cholesterol.

"Because of the oats, because of the soluble fiber in Cheerios, it may help you reduce cholesterol and I think the FDA is still acknowledging that ... I just think they are saying but you can't really say that because you are a food product, not a drug," Glassman said.

People CBS 2 HD spoke to say this dispute over the cereal's health claims won't change how often they buy or eat Cheerios.

"Mostly 'cause kids eat them, they're fun, round, they're easy to eat," said Jennifer Wood of the Upper East Side.

"It doesn't change what's in the box," added Michael Zorek of the Upper West Side. "It's healthy no matter what they say."

The FDA gave General Mills 15 days to explain how it will correct the statements on Cheerios boxes.

In a statement issued Tuesday, General Mills said this dispute is over language, not science. The company pointed out that the FDA'a complaint doesn't actually question whether Cheerios can help lower cholesterol levels -- it only talks about how the health benefits are advertised.
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