![]() ![]() "None of us should have to worry about the safety of our food," said Environmental Working Group Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Scott Faber. The Toxic Free Food Act is supported by a broad group of consumer, health, and food safety groups including Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Working Group, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumer Reports, Healthy Babies Bright Future, Defend our Health, Earthjustice, the Center for Food Safety, and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. The evidence of safety that is submitted to FDA is conducted by industry scientists, and FDA regulators are not provided with the underlying data and research to determine safety. The food industry has no requirement or incentive to notify FDA of a new GRAS ingredient. Consumer Reports estimates there are about 1,000 GRAS substances where safety determinations were made by food companies without notifying FDA. To date, the current GRAS notification system is voluntary, not available to the public, and has major issues with conflicts of interest. In 2010, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that FDA's performance was inadequate and did not ensure the safety of GRAS substances. This approval process must be mandatory, transparent, and independent in order to maintain the trust of American consumers. Those that choose to notify FDA of their new substance get to supply their own, company-funded science and keep it away from the eyes of the public. The food industry is designating new ingredients as GRAS to take advantage of this loophole so they can rush new chemicals to market with no oversight. ![]() "The current notification system for ‘generally recognized as safe' erodes the public's trust in food safety. "American families deserve to trust that the food in our stores and supermarkets is safe," said Congresswoman DeLauro. The Toxic Free Food Act would require FDA to close the so-called GRAS loophole and make the industry's chemical food additives subject to FDA approval. Consumer advocates have long criticized the current GRAS notification system due to issues of transparency, effectiveness, and ethics. For decades, FDA has allowed food and chemical manufacturers to designate such chemicals as ‘generally recognized as safe' (GRAS), without FDA review or public notice. An array of chemicals is often added to foods to improve flavor, enhance appearance, or extend shelf life. House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today introduced the Toxic Free Food Act, legislation to overhaul the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) process for determining the safety of chemicals used in the food supply. Supported by Consumer Advocates, Toxic Free Food Act Would Expand Federal Oversight of Chemicals Added to Food ![]()
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