As concerns grow about unsafe additives in common foods, experts are urging a reevaluation of safety standards to safeguard public health. Specifically, during a recent Senate roundtable discussion, food activist Vani Hari pointed out that McDonald’s in Europe offers healthier options compared to the United States. In the US, McDonald’s fries contain 11 ingredients, while in the UK, they only have three. This discrepancy highlights the presence of unsafe chemicals in US foods that are banned in other Western countries.
Jennifer Pomeranz, an associate professor of public health policy and management, explained that the lack of regulations in the US allows companies to designate ingredients as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) without providing safety data to the FDA or the public. This legal loophole leads to unsafe ingredients in the US food supply. In contrast, Europe takes a precautionary approach by banning substances based on potential harm, while the US relies on the GRAS principle, allowing some ingredients to enter the market without thorough testing.
The continued use of potentially harmful chemicals like azodicarbonamide in the US, despite being banned in other countries, raises concerns about food safety. Experts emphasize the need for stricter regulations and transparency in ingredient lists to protect consumers, especially children. They propose policy recommendations such as requiring companies to share safety data before adding substances to foods and enhancing FDA oversight through increased funding from Congress.
Overall, there is a call for a reevaluation of food safety standards in the US to ensure that ingredients in processed foods are truly safe for consumption. Excessive amounts can result in significant health risks, she warned.
“Both the FDA and Congress have the ability to do more to support the FDA in fulfilling its mission of ensuring a safe food supply,” she emphasized.
A Safer Food Supply
With increasing concerns about food safety, the FDA is preparing to introduce a new Human Foods Program to revamp its operations and implement various enhancements, such as a proposed post-market review of food additives and GRAS substances to enhance transparency and safety evaluations.
The FDA has released a paper outlining how the program will evaluate factors like the potential toxicity of a substance, changes in exposure levels, and their presence in foods consumed by vulnerable populations like infants. It will also take into account new scientific data and public or organizational interest in these chemicals.
Additionally, the agency will take into consideration state-level regulations concerning certain food products.
This approach indicates that actions taken at the state level could impact the FDA’s future evaluations. For instance, California’s recent regulation on specific food dyes may influence future considerations.
Pomeranz stressed the need for a more comprehensive review process not only for existing ingredients but also for any new additives.
However, consumers also play a crucial role, as highlighted by Hari. She pointed out that after revealing potentially harmful ingredients in Starbucks’ popular pumpkin spice lattes, media attention prompted Starbucks to eliminate an ammonia-derived ingredient associated with cancer.
Hari believes that public pressure can drive changes towards safer food options. She stated, “It’s time for consumers to demand healthier choices and for the FDA to prioritize public health.”
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