By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A new report is raising concerns about the safety of America’s food supply after investigators found more than 100 food ingredients entered the market without review by federal regulators.
The analysis by the Environmental Working Group identified 111 chemicals used in food products that were never evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before reaching grocery shelves. (Food & Wine)
According to the report, companies were able to introduce the ingredients through a legal classification known as “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, which allows manufacturers to determine the safety of certain additives themselves. (The Guardian)
The rule was originally created in 1958 for familiar ingredients like salt and vinegar, but critics say it is now being used to approve new chemical substances without independent oversight.
“This is a wake-up call for every American who assumes the FDA is reviewing the safety of chemicals in their food,” said Melanie Benesh, vice president for government affairs at the Environmental Working Group. (The Guardian)
Investigators found dozens of unreviewed ingredients appearing in thousands of products sold nationwide, including beverages, snack foods, and supplements.
Experts say some substances identified in the report include concentrated plant extracts that may have health effects different from those of the whole foods they come from.
Advocates are calling for stronger oversight of food additives and greater transparency for consumers.
In the meantime, nutrition specialists recommend limiting highly processed foods and focusing on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains whenever possible.