WASHINGTON – The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday ended the period for public comment on its proposed enhanced process for assessing chemicals in food after they’re already in use.
The FDA held a public meeting last September to discuss the proposal. At the time, officials invited presentations from organizations and others invested in the issue, including the Environmental Working Group and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The agency also encouraged input from the public.
The following is a statement from Melanie Benesh, EWG vice president for government affairs, on the comments received by the FDA:
The overwhelming public response to the FDA’s request for comments on the post-market assessment of chemicals in food sends a clear message: Americans are deeply concerned about the chemicals in their food supply and strongly support more stringent protections for their health.
Ninety-nine percent of the comments align with EWG’s call for more transparent and rigorous oversight of chemicals used in food. This resounding support underscores the urgency for the FDA to put public health over industry interests and act decisively to safeguard the safety of our food system.
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