A group of non-government organizations have recently expressed concerns and raised questions about the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) vision for restructuring its Human Foods Program and Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA).

Consumer Reports (CR) recently tested canned tuna from popular brands, and observed varying levels of mercury, a toxic heavy metal found in foods, on a can-to-can basis.

Consumer groups are calling for the use of erythrosine—also known as red dye 3—in foods to be banned, pointing to studies suggesting the food coloring’s carcinogenicity and children’s heightened exposure to the coloring.

Recent research suggests a concerning overall presence of toxic heavy metals cadmium and lead among dark chocolate bars.

A coalition of consumer organizations, industry, and government officials has written to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the agency to expand the planned external review of its food safety program to include FDA’s Center of Veterinary Medicine.

Consumer Reports is calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to more stringently enforce Salmonella contamination after an investigation by the group revealed the prevalence of Salmonella in chicken products at retail. 

Consumer Reports cited recent government test results and recalls in asking baby food companies to suspend sales of infant rice cereals.