The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its list of select chemicals currently under the agency’s review to provide more insight into the status of the FDA’s post-market assessments of chemicals in the food supply.
This updated list includes select food ingredients (including food additives and colour additives), food contact substances and contaminants under FDA review.
The list now includes the date the FDA’s review was initiated, the date of the most recent risk management action and links for the public to provide input (where applicable).
The chemicals new to this updated list are:
- butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- azodicarbonamide (ADA)
- FD&C Blue No. 1
- FD&C Blue No. 2
- FD&C Green No. 3
- FD&C Red No. 40
- FD&C Yellow No. 5
- FD&C Yellow No. 6.
The FDA is also reviewing the presence of opiate alkaloids in poppy seeds.
To facilitate its post-market scientific assessments of BHA, BHT and ADA, the agency intends to seek data and information from stakeholders soon.
In addition, lead as a food contact substance has been separated from lead as a contaminant and is being given its own entry on the updated list.
The FDA is also taking steps to expedite its review of chemicals included in previous updates, such as phthalates, propylparaben and titanium dioxide.
This post-market review effort is part of a larger initiative to improve food chemical oversight.