Consumer advocacy group says FDA is allowing food manufacturers to set own safety standards

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing food manufacturers to set their own safety standards, leading some companies to use chemicals in their products based on their own studies, according to a report from an environmental and consumer advocacy group, Kimberly Kindy reports for The Washington Post. 

The report by the Natural Resources Defense Council "identified 56 companies that were marketing products using 275 chemicals that the company’s hired experts decided met federal safety standards, known as Generally Recognized as Safe," Kindy writes. "However, the science behind those safety findings and the use of the chemicals was disclosed to the FDA in only six instances."

The Grocery Manufacturers Association defended the process, saying “It is a very thorough and comprehensive process that has, under the current law, provided FDA with authority to challenge the improper marketing of an ingredient as GRAS and if necessary, act to remove products containing that ingredient from the food supply,” Kindy writes. The FDA also defended it, saying that although "the law allows for food manufacturers to make their own safety determinations, the agency 'encourages companies to consult with the agency when developing new ingredients.' Ultimately, the FDA said, manufacturers 'are responsible for ensuring that their food products are safe and lawful.'" (Read more)