The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started steps to possibly ban BHA, a food additive found in many processed foods like meats and bread. This action is important because BHA has been used for decades and is under new scrutiny due to health concerns.
BHA, or butylated hydroxyanisole, has been recognised as safe since 1958 and approved as a food additive in 1961. It helps prevent fats and oils in food from spoiling and can be found in items like frozen meals, cereals, cookies, and some meats. However, the FDA has announced a safety review because of worries that BHA could cause cancer in people.
In the 1990s, the National Toxicology Program described BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on studies done on animals. Although there are few studies on humans, some research in the past has linked BHA to cancer in animals.
As part of its review, the FDA is asking the public and industry for information on BHA’s use and safety. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressed that this review signals a new era of food safety. He is focused on reducing harmful chemicals in food.
Some experts, like Marion Nestle from New York University, support the FDA’s decision but question how safety evaluations will be conducted. She noted that human studies would be difficult and expensive but believes it was time for the FDA to address this issue. The Consumer Brands Association has not yet commented on the FDA’s announcement.
Vocabulary List:
- Additive /ˈæd.ɪ.tɪv/ (noun): A substance added to food to enhance its flavor appearance or preservation.
- Scrutiny /ˈskruː.tɪ.ni/ (noun): Critical observation or examination.
- Carcinogen /kɑːrˈsɪn.ə.dʒən/ (noun): A substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
- Review /rɪˈvjuː/ (noun): A formal assessment or examination of something with the possibility of instituting change if necessary.
- Anticipated /ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪ.tɪd/ (adjective): Regarded as likely to happen; expected.
- Worries /ˈwʌr.iːz/ (noun): Concerns or anxieties about potential problems.
How much do you know?
