Jerry and Elaine would both be happy today...

[Matrix Heart]

FDA approves Today Sponge contraceptive for U.S. sales

TRENTON, New Jersey (AP) -- The Today Sponge contraceptive is returning to the market after a decade as federal regulators Friday deemed it "spongeworthy" again.

Allendale Pharmaceuticals said the Food and Drug Administration has approved U.S. sales of the sponge, which was the favorite nonprescription birth control product of women when it was withdrawn from the market in 1995.

"They can re-enter the U.S. market," FDA spokeswoman Susan Cruzan said. "The product was found to be safe and effective."

The polyurethane sponges, which have been sold in Canada and over the Internet since March 2003, will be available soon on a company Web site and later at retailers.

"I'm overwhelmed," Gene Detroyer, president and chief executive officer of Allendale Pharmaceuticals, told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview. "I am pleased both from a business point of view ... and from the point of view that we can add another contraceptive for women."

Allendale bought rights to sell the Today Sponge several years ago from the prior manufacturer, American Home Products, which is now Wyeth of Madison. American Home stopped making the sponge rather than upgrade a manufacturing plant after FDA found deficiencies there.

The device's effectiveness and safety were never questioned.

The fierce loyalty of the product's fans was depicted in hilarious fashion on the sitcom "Seinfeld." The character Elaine Benes scoured stores for her favorite birth control, then stretched her supply by setting "spongeworthy" standards for prospective lovers.

The Today Sponge prevents pregnancy by covering the cervix and releasing spermicide from inside the soft, concave device. Roughly 250 million of the sponges were sold from 1983 to 1995.

While it was less effective than several other methods and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, the sponge achieved a wide following among women who saw advantages from spontaneity to availability.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/04/22/the.sponge.returns.ap/index.html



'Seinfeld' inspiration offers soup line

No 'no soup for you' -- 'SoupMan' to sell products in grocery stores across the nation.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - The soup chef made famous in an episode of "Seinfeld" isn't saying "No soup for you" anymore. In fact, he's trying to bring his creations into homes across America.

Soup Kitchen International Inc. and the "Original SoupMan," Al Yeganeh, announced Friday that a retail line of "heat-n-serve" soups will be available in grocery stores. A press release didn't say when the product will be available.

A spokesman for Soup Kitchen International and Yeganeh wasn't immediately available for comment.

Soup Kitchen International said Yeganeh will supervise the production of the soup that caused people to wait in line outside his mid-Manhattan storefront for such offerings as seafood bisque, jambalaya or turkey chili. It was those lines, and the purported attitude of the eatery owner, that resulted in the famous "The Soup Nazi" episode in the seventh season of the comedy series.

"Al's creations will define the super premium soup category, while adding a dash of attitude and fun to his recipes with his 'soupside' manner -- who can resist?" John Bello, Chairman and CEO of Soup Kitchen International, said in a statement.

Soup Kitchen International, which said its investors include Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, added that there are plans to open 1,000 The Original SoupMan restaurants over the next seven years throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Promoting the Seinfeld link may be a change of heart for Yeganeh. The "Seinfeld" Web site says he was unhappy with the publicity from the episode and was quoted as saying he threatened to "smack" comedian Jerry Seinfeld's face.

http://money.cnn.com/2005/04/22/news/newsmakers/soup_man

[Shahizzle]

LOL .. no soup for you!, classic shit 

[lakersarechamps]

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