The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working toward conducting a modernized, systematic reassessment of chemicals added to foods with a focus on post-market review. However, FDA requires greater funding and additional authorities to execute this new approach. 

On May 15, 2023, the California State Assembly passed first-of-its-kind legislation that would prohibit the use of certain dangerous and toxic chemicals in processed foods and drinks. Assembly Bill (AB) 418 would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any food product in California containing red dye 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, or propyl paraben.

California Assembly Bill 418 would place a statewide ban on the sale of processed foods containing red dye 3, titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, or propyl paraben, due to possible associated negative human health consequences.

A recent study suggests that exposure to a mixture of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may alter several critical biological processes, including the metabolism of fats and amino acids, as well as thyroid hormone dysfunction.

Popular oat-based food products often eaten by children may contain unsafe levels of chlormequat, an agricultural chemical associated with negative health effects, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

A recent study has explored the potential of recycling human waste for use as a food-safe, sustainable fertilizer. The findings suggest that the risk of pharmaceuticals entering foods from human waste compost is low.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently highlighted various fellowship projects across Europe, providing insight into the recent and ongoing work of EFSA in the realm of food safety risk assessment for various chemical and microbiological hazards. 

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we talk to Dr. David Acheson, President and CEO of food safety consultancy The Acheson Group, about a variety of pressing topics for the food industry, such as the declaration of Salmonella as an adulterant in poultry, Cannabis edibles regulations, compliance with the agricultural water rule, modernizing recalls, mitigating the risk of PFAS, and others. Dr. Acheson has a background in internal medicine and infectious diseases, and also served as the Chief Medical Officer at FDA’s CFSAN.

A recent literature review explores potential chemical hazards in a circular food system that may pose a risk to food safety. 

The U.S. Senate has introduced a bill that would enforce stricter regulation of the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rule and that calls for the creation of a new office within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that would assess chemicals in food.