FDA Proposal Would Expand Loophole for Toxic Food Chemicals Without Safety Review

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has put forward a proposal that would extend a contentious exemption, potentially permitting the addition of hazardous chemicals to food products without undergoing safety assessments.

Under the current “threshold of regulation” (TOR) framework, dangerous compounds are exempt from review when used in food contact materials, such as packaging or processing equipment, provided they are not carcinogenic and are present at concentrations below 0.5 parts per billion (ppb). The proposed expansion aims to apply this loophole more broadly, drawing criticism from experts who warn about the potential health risks.

Regulators argue the move streamlines processes, but public health advocates remain concerned that bypassing safety reviews could expose consumers to unsafe levels of toxic substances.