The Food and Drug Administration updated its list of food chemicals under review, some of which are widely used, to provide more information on assessments for certain additives, food contact substances or environmental contaminants.
But the update drew criticism given that some chemicals under review have been banned at the state level and the agency did not set deadlines for the reviews, some of which have been ongoing for years.
The 21 chemicals have been under review for years but are being reevaluated due to data gaps or previously unknown possible health risks. The list includes the most up-to-date information on substances such as lead, arsenic, “forever chemicals” and fluorinated high-density polyethylene, which is a type of plastic commonly used for milk jugs.
FDA has faced intense criticism for its “languish” over food regulations and for downplaying concerns with PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, for decades.
