In California's Strawberry Fields, A Controversial Pesticide

Here’s the latest in health and health journalism news from Reporting on Health.

Environmental Health: Despite serious human health concerns, the controversial pesticide methyl iodide will likely be used on strawberry fields in Monterey County, Sara Rubin and David Schmalz report for the Monterey Weekly. They look at the players and agendas involved.

Lupus: The FDA approves Benlysta, the first new drug for the autoimmune disease lupus in more than 50 years, but it’s far more expensive than its predecessors, Alice Park reports for Time’s Healthland blog. That’s sparked a renewed debate over drug costs.

West Nile Virus: In what may be an early start to West Nile virus season in California, the state’s first West Nile-infected bird has been found in Elk Grove, near Sacramento.

Painkillers: The FDA has taken over supervision of three Johnson & Johnson-owned factories that make over-the-counter painkillers like Tylenol after numerous product recalls and manufacturing problems that raised concerns about consumer safety, Parija Kavilanz reports for CNNMoney.

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Photo credit: La Grande Farmers' Market via Fllickr