News sources are widely reporting on a recent study concerning potential conflicts of interest in the U.S. food additive regulatory system. Following the publication of this research study, led by Pew Charitable Trusts and published in JAMA Internal Medicine, sources such as USA Today and Reuters have reported on results that the FDA food additive review process is characterized by conflicts of interest by the experts assessing the safety of food additives.
Congress allows food additive manufacturers to determine if additives are classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Companies may voluntarily notify the FDA of additives that have been designated as GRAS, but they are not required to do so.
The International Food Additives Council (IFAC), which represents producers of substances used as food additives, has responded with a statement that these claims of conflicts of interest are inaccurate. According to IFAC, the food additive approval process relies on independent scientific experts, and assertions of the process being influenced by financial incentives are not supported by evidence.
