FDA may allow some toxic chemicals to be added to food without safety review. Experts are alarmed

A proposed rule change by the FDA could broaden a long-debated exemption, potentially permitting certain highly toxic chemicals to be included in food itself—so long as they are not classified as carcinogens. Under the current "threshold of regulation" policy, such compounds are already exempt from safety reviews if used in food packaging or processing tools at trace levels. Critics argue the expansion risks undermining protections by allowing direct exposure to substances previously restricted to indirect contact. The move has sparked concerns over long-term health implications despite the proposed exclusion of cancer-causing agents.

Regulator looks to expand loophole to allow dangerous compounds in food as long as they’re not carcinogenicThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to expand a controversial loophole to allow some of the world’s most toxic chemicals to be added directly to food without a safety review.The “threshold of regulation” (TOR) exemption currently allows dangerous compounds to be used without review in food contact materials, such as packaging or processing equipment, if they are not carcinogenic, and are added at levels below 0.5 parts per billion (ppb). Continue reading...