The FDA announced it will reassess the safety of BHA, a preservative found in many popular snack foods. This move comes amid longstanding concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects.
Federal health officials announced on Tuesday that they will reassess the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a chemical preservative commonly found in a wide range of food products, including potato chips, cereals, frozen meals, and meat products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new request for information regarding BHA, stating that the agency’s review will consider whether the chemical is safe under its current conditions of use in food and as a food contact substance.
This reassessment is part of a broader effort by the FDA to review chemical additives in the U.S. food supply. In May, the agency identified BHA as a top priority for review. The move underscores the FDA’s commitment to ensuring the safety of the food supply and addressing potential health risks associated with chemical additives.
BHA has been classified as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the FDA since 1958 and was approved as a food additive in 1961. However, the National Toxicology Program has classified BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” since 1991.
Health advocacy groups, such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest, have long urged consumers to avoid products containing BHA due to studies indicating that the chemical causes cancer in rats, mice, and hamsters. BHA has also been listed as a known carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65 since 1990.
Despite a decline in BHA usage in recent years, it remains present in many foods, including those marketed to children, according to the FDA. The agency’s reassessment will provide a critical opportunity to evaluate the current scientific evidence and determine the appropriate regulatory measures to protect public health.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary emphasized the agency’s commitment to food safety, stating, “We are taking decisive action to ensure that chemicals in our food supply are not causing harm.”
The FDA’s reassessment of BHA is a significant development in the ongoing effort to ensure the safety of the U.S. food supply. The agency’s findings will likely have far-reaching implications for the food industry and public health.
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