FDA to Revisit Approval of Food Additive
The Food and Drug Administration plans to revisit its approval of the food additive azodicarbonamide, also known as "yoga mat" chemical, which has been used in the production of bread and other food products in the USA. This decision comes after many years of questions about the safety of this additive, which is banned in Europe.
Background on Azodicarbonamide
Azodicarbonamide has been previously approved for use in whitening muesli and backbrot dough. However, interest representatives have criticized the use of this chemical in food for years, citing concerns about potential health risks. The nickname "yoga mat" chemical comes from its use in the production of plastics and rubber.
Safety Concerns
In Europe, it is illegal to add azodicarbonamide to bread due to concerns that it can lead to the formation of a possible carcinogen called semicarbazide when it breaks down into other chemicals during the baking process. International health authorities have also considered concerns about its use in food, and guidance that previously permitted its use was withdrawn due to lack of data to support its safety.
FDA’s Review Process
The FDA has said that azodicarbonamide was approved after examining how much semicarbazide Americans might eat. The agency found that studies in mice showed that semicarbazide could cause tumors, but only in levels that "far exceed" the estimated amounts that people eat through bread and other food.
Other Ingredients Under Review
The FDA also intends to expand its list of food additives that will be prioritized for a new safety check, including BHT and BHA, two preservatives that are authorized for some food uses in Europe but have also raised concerns about potential cancer risks.
New Plan for Reviewing Food Chemicals
The news that these ingredients were prioritized for review was announced as part of a new plan to further increase the examination of previously approved food chemicals. The plan will include the creation and execution of a modernized, evidence-based prioritization scheme for checking chemicals in the food supply, which will be made available for public comments later this month.
Next Steps
Details of the agency’s systematic process for reviewing the safety of chemicals in the food supply will soon be completed, following a proposal for a more formal approach last year. The agency received over 70,000 comments on its framework for review processes, and the final plan will be published soon.
