The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a sweeping overhaul of how it reviews chemicals already present in the American food supply. The new system will fast-track investigations into several additives long used in consumer goods, including some that have been banned in Europe.
Under the updated process, the FDA will expedite reviews of chemicals such as phthalates, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide. Additionally, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and azodicarbonamide (ADA) have been added to the agency’s list for formal reevaluation. All three are currently classified as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) but face mounting scrutiny for their links to cancer and organ damage.
FDA Commissioner Martin Makary said the agency is launching its first-ever systematic post-market review program. “Only by improving the safety and transparency of the food supply…will we overcome the long-standing trajectory of chronic diseases,” Makary stated.
The GRAS system, established in 1958, allows corporations to self-certify chemicals as safe without rigorous FDA review. This process has come under fire from consumer and health groups for decades, especially as new research has raised concerns about long-approved substances.
BHA and BHT are common preservatives used in breakfast cereals and cooking oils. Animal studies have linked BHA to tumor growth and suggested BHT could damage the liver and kidneys. ADA, found in baked goods and also used in yoga mats and insulation foam, breaks down into semicarbazide and urethane—both suspected carcinogens.
All three substances are banned in the European Union due to health concerns.
The FDA’s action follows a March statement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announcing a reconsideration of the GRAS rule. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. emphasized the need to protect American families, stating, “No parent should ever worry about what’s in their child’s food.”
The agency also plans to incorporate stakeholder feedback as it implements the post-market review system, signaling broader efforts to enhance public trust and safety in food regulation.
