- On August 19, FDA announced updates to its List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review. The list is part of FDA’s plan to conduct post-market reviews of chemicals in food. Note that the excel spreadsheet on the list includes additional information that is not available on the main page such as the date the review was initiated. (see “Export Excel” button on linked page)
- The new chemicals officially added to the list are:
- The antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Azodicarbonamide (ADA), approved as a bleaching agent in cereal flour and as a dough conditioner in bread baking
- Synthetic color additives 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, and FD&C Yellow No. 6.
- Opiate alkaloids on poppy seeds. Earlier this year, FDA requested information on agricultural, production, and supply chain practices which may contribute to the presence of these opiate alkaloids.
- FDA’s announcement also notes that (1) it will seek data on BHA, BHT, and ADA to facilitate its post-market assessments, (2) it has separated lead as an impurity in food contact substances from lead as an environmental contaminant, and (3) that it is taking steps to expedite its review of chemicals included in previous updates, including phthalates, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide.
