The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a report that investigates the occurrence of 21 active substances frequently detected on organic products that are approved for use in plant protection products, but are not allowed in organic food production.
Switzerland has banned bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials, but the regulation’s definition of hazardous BPAs is based on the chemicals’ molecular structure—notably leaving out some common, possibly harmful bisphenols like bisphenol M and bisphenol P.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reevaluated the safety of artificial sweetener acesulfame potassium (also known as acesulfame K, or additive E 950) for the first time since 2000, raising the acceptable daily intake. However, EFSA recommended lowering the maximum limits for lead and mercury in E 950.
U.S. Representatives have reintroduced the Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2025 to Congress, which would require FDA to reevaluate the safety of chemicals—including “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) substances, food dyes, and food contact substances—every three years.
In Northwestern China, more than 200 children enrolled at a private kindergarten have been hospitalized for lead poisoning. Investigators suspect school kitchen staff used non-edible lead paint to make certain food items. Officials arrested eight people.
The Environmental Working Group’s (EWG’s) 2025 Dirty Dozen list considers pesticide toxicity for the first time. While critics say the list is alarmist and may discourage the consumption of safe fruit and vegetables, EWG argues that “legal does not mean safe” when it comes to pesticide residues.
During its 100th session held in June, the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) evaluated the safety of eight food additives and one processing aid, including rosemary extract, Gardenia Blue, and carob bean gum, and revised the specifications of seven other additives and processing aids.
As of July 1, 2025, new EU maximum levels for nickel—a heavy metal known to contaminate food, which can have acute and chronic health effects—went into effect for a range of foods. Additional limits for nickel in cereal will go into effect in July 2026.
Louisiana recently enacted Senate Bill 14, which HHS Secretary Kennedy called a “Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) bill,” targeting more than 40 food ingredients—such as seed oils, food colorings, sweeteners, and other additives—through product label disclosures and public school meal bans.
The UK Food Standards Agency has established a safe upper limit for THC consumed in hemp-derived CBD foods and beverages of 0.07 milligrams per day, and is encouraging businesses to reformulate CBD products in light of the new THC recommendations.
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