At what point do we consider something not fit for human consumption? It would seem obvious to not eat a possible human carcinogen, yet companies are still allowed to add chemicals such as potassium bromate to food products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) needs to crack down on these ingredients being added into our food, as the possible effects pose an issue to the health and safety of the public.
How Companies Exploit Our Food
“GRAS” is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. As long as a substance being added to food by companies is generally recognized as safe, it is legal. The FDA implemented the GRAS loophole in 1958 to cover ingredients that were already deemed as safe, such as vegetable oil and baking soda. This way, the FDA would not have to check if an ingredient is safe every time it was used in food production. The GRAS loophole is used very differently today, as this loophole allows food companies to add harmful ingredients such as potassium bromate and titanium dioxide into the food they produce. The reason the GRAS loophole is so powerful is because of how companies can self-certify chemicals as safe without notifying the FDA. Companies are not even required to submit the data they used to come to the conclusion that a chemical they approve is safe. Companies can even ask the FDA to stop reviewing a chemical so they can continue to market it as safe.
The GRAS loophole poses a huge problem: companies can put whatever they wish into our food.
This is more than a loophole, but rather a display of how greedy the food companies are, and perhaps worse, how incompetent the FDA is when it comes to handling these matters. The FDA’s purpose is to protect the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of the drugs and food products used by the United States’s many citizens. However, this job is clearly not being carried out effectively. Food companies are exploiting us, using particular chemicals to make something look more attractive or have a more appealing texture. This would all be fine, except they are using chemicals in ultra-processed food that may be killing us. Moving forward, the FDA must rethink their choices and perhaps even make changes to the GRAS policy. They must take into account the health of the public and actually review these chemicals instead of letting food companies verify it themselves.
The Chemicals We Consume
Potassium bromate is a chemical and food additive banned in China, the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In lab tests, it was found that rats exposed to potassium bromate showed increased instances of benign and malignant tumors. Later research found that the chemical increased chances of cancer in the kidney and other organs. Despite all of these red flags, the FDA still allows potassium bromate to be added to our processed bread and bakery products. Common brands found on supermarket shelves such as Fresh Daily, Palagonia, Sibstar, and Tastee Choice all have products tested positive with potassium bromate.
Food dyes, used to make products look more appealing and bright, also pose a problem to health. Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40 are among dyes that have been found to be contaminated with benzidine, a carcinogen. These dyes can also cause hypersensitivity reactions. Red 40 in particular became controversial as it is thought to be linked to mental issues, allergies, and migraines in children. Children may be more sensitive to red 40, which poses a problem as it is an additive used in many foods marketed to children.
What Needs To Be Done
The FDA has already put some restrictions on what is put in our food. For instance, the recent banning of Red 3, a petroleum-based chemical shown to have links to cancer in rats. This is definitely a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. The FDA allows companies until 2027 to reformulate their products containing Red 3, which is way too long for reformulation. This large gap of time does not create a sense of urgency that is needed, and food companies may take months or even years to begin the formulation process. There needs to be a sense of order in the way things are being carried out, as right now, this leniency towards food companies is harming the people. As of now, the food industry regulates itself when it comes to added ingredients. There needs to be more regulation when it comes to what the public is putting into their bodies, and this starts with regulating the chemicals being added by these companies.
Hopefully, the banning of Red 3 signifies more improvements to come. There are still many additives that need regulation, such as potassium bromate. The FDA needs to recognize that only safe ingredients should be added to our food, rather than additives used to make something more attractive or to make it addictive for consumers to keep purchasing.
It is important to mention that some additives are necessary for shelf life and preservation, but there needs to be a very clear boundary between functional and unnecessary. A potent red dye is not necessary for an electrolyte beverage, but certain preservatives for the same beverage from degrading may be necessary. Cutting out the attractiveness of a product and compromising for safety is the sacrifice food companies need to make. It is important for companies to start using only what is necessary. Steps like these that promote consumer safety move us in the right direction.
There must be reforms, for the sake of the health and safety of our citizens.
