US agency did not perform safety checks of more than 100 food ingredients, analysis finds

A new analysis by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that over 100 ingredients used in common US foods, supplements, and beverages have not been reviewed for safety by the FDA. The analysis of federal records revealed that companies are utilizing the "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) rule, intended for ingredients like salt, to introduce new substances without regulatory scrutiny. This loophole allows companies to bypass FDA review, potentially introducing harmful chemicals into the food system, as evidenced by a 2022 incident involving tara flour. The EWG report highlights that popular brands like Capri Sun, Quaker Oats, and Trader Joe's use these substances, and the lack of mandatory reporting on product usage keeps consumers and the government uninformed. While GRAS requires scientific evidence of safety, companies can self-determine safety without notifying the FDA.

Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories

Discover articles with similar content using semantic similarity analysis.