Editor’s note: Following is a letter sent by Consumer Reports and a coalition of concerned entities (see list below) regarding the leadership at the Food and Drug Administration in reference to the recent Reagan-Udall Foundation report on the agency.
TO:
Dr. Robert Califf Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration 10903 New
– OPINION –
The U.S. Senate on Feb. 15 voted to return Dr. Robert Califf to the role of FDA commissioner, bringing needed leadership to an agency that plays a vital role in protecting public health.
While Califf faces historic challenges in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and the
Continue Reading New FDA commissioner has a full plate when it comes to chemistry of food safety
By Tom Neltner, Environmental Defense Fund Chemicals Policy Director
The latest annual food industry survey demonstrates that U.S. consumers continue to have significant concerns about chemicals in food. Specifically, the survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) found:
Continue Reading Chemicals in food continue to be a top food safety concern among consumers
Heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead are present in most foods, whether conventional or organic, usually as the result of environmental contamination. Because heavy metals pose significant threats even at low levels, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made reducing cumulative exposure a priority. The
Continue Reading When it comes to testing heavy metals in food, the result is only as good as the lab
Today, the FDA doubled-down on its flawed 2005 and 2017 decisions to allow the hazardous chemical perchlorate to be added to dry food packaging. The FDA denied a request for a public hearing submitted by the Center for Food Safety, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, and other advocacy groups.
The
Continue Reading FDA refuses to reconsider decision on hazardous chemical in food packaging
Editor’s note: This column by Tim Neltner was originally published June 15 by the Environmental Defense Fund.
By now, it is well known that lead exposure is a significant human health concern, especially for young children. While most of the discussion about lead exposure has involved paint, drinking
Continue Reading One out of five samples of food for babies test positive for lead
Using the same mechanism that resulted in the banning of cyclamates in 1970, a group of public health watchdog organizations is challenging the FDA’s decision not to ban perchlorate in food packaging.
The consumer advocates say the Food and Drug Administration ignored scientific evidence that shows the chemical disrupts fetal
Continue Reading Health advocates say FDA ignored law, science on perchlorate
Tomorrow’s planned publication of a new federal rule on substances in food that are “generally recognized as safe” — GRAS — has already drawn fire that includes possible congressional action. The Food and Drug Administration’s final rule on GRAS substances in human and animal food is scheduled to take effect
Continue Reading FDA continues to trust industry under GRAS substance rule
