Reagan-Udall Foundation publishes independent evaluation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) human foods program; provides 32 recommendations concerning agency culture, structure, resources, and authorities
Politico presents concerns about the US FDA
Politico reports the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lacks clear leadership managing food safety in the country, leading to delays and impacting the health of those living in the US; Environmental Working Group study finds nearly 99% of food chemicals added to the US market since 2000 were introduced through the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) rule
Bill to require US FDA to reexamine chemicals used in food
Representative Jan Schakowsky introduces Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2021 to the United States House of Representatives; the bill would require the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regularly review the chemicals used in foods, particularly those approved through the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) rule; would establish an Office of Food Safety Reassessment and reestablish a food advisory committee
Toxic Free Food Act introduced in US
Representative Rosa DeLauro introduces Toxic Free Food Act to United States House of Representatives; bill would require US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to publicly review all chemicals related to food that are currently allowed under the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) rule; novel chemicals and carcinogens would no longer be allowed under GRAS
Petition calls for US FDA to consider cumulative effects
Coalition requests US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to follow its own mandate to consider cumulative effects of chemicals present during safety assessments; covers chemicals directly added to food, substances migrating from food packaging, substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS); finds only 1 of 877 existing GRAS notifications adhered to requirement
Industry coalition backs FDA’s GRAS rule
Safe Food Ingredients Coalition advocates for court judgement supporting U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s food additive notification process; responses from plaintiffs due August 23, 2019
FDA defends GRAS rule
U.S. Food and Drug Administration argues notification program for food additives generally recognized as safe is reasonable; calls for court to judge in its favor in ongoing litigation
NGOs file for decision on GRAS rule
Environmental Defense Fund and Center for Food Safety file motion for summary judgement to district court challenging U.S. FDA’s rule on use of substances generally recognized as safe
Update: NGOs challenge final GRAS rule
U.S. court rules against FDA’s request to dismiss NGO-lawsuit on ‘generally recognized as safe’ rule
Chemicals in plastics leaching into food
Article in Vox summarizes health concerns related to chemicals in plastic food packaging, discuss U.S. regulatory system, recommend actions to limit exposure