FDA Accelerates Food Chemical Reviews: New Additions to Investigation List for Safer Eating – Livingston Parish News

Thérèse Boudreaux | The Center Square

The FDA recently announced a new approach to reviewing chemicals in our food. This update is crucial as it will speed up the evaluation of known substances like phthalates, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide. Additionally, new chemicals such as BHA, BHT, and ADA will be included in the review process, all shaped by feedback from the public.

FDA Commissioner Martin Makary emphasized the importance of transparency and safety. He stated, “We are creating a systematic post-market review program that consumers can trust.” This aim is to help Americans make better food choices and address rising chronic health issues linked to food safety.

This initiative is part of a broader effort by the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) to reevaluate chemicals that have often slipped through the cracks. Many of these substances remain unexamined and are even banned in other places, like the European Union.

For decades, health and environmental advocates have raised concerns about the FDA’s leniency towards chemical companies. This issue stems from a 1958 regulation that allows companies to declare their products “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) without rigorous testing.

Following this announcement, the HHS revealed in March its intention to revisit the GRAS regulations. Now, three chemicals—BHA, BHT, and ADA—will undergo further study. Both BHA and BHT, often found in cereals and food oils, act as preservatives. However, studies have linked BHA to tumor growth in animals and flagged it as a potential carcinogen. Similarly, BHT has shown harmful effects on the liver and kidneys during testing.

ADA, a dough conditioner found in common baked goods, serves multiple purposes, including in yoga mats. Tragically, it breaks down into two suspected carcinogens. Alarmingly, all three of these substances face bans in Europe.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated, “No parent should ever worry about what’s in their child’s food.” The agency aims to rejuvenate the food supply and enhance protection for families across America.

This initiative reflects a growing awareness among consumers about food safety. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, 80% of Americans are concerned about chemicals in food. With rising vigilance from both agencies and consumers, the landscape of food safety is evolving. It remains crucial for public voices to influence policy changes that protect health and well-being.

For more detailed insights, you can read about this initiative on the FDA’s official page.

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