FDA Revokes Authorizations for Methylene Chloride and Other Chemicals in Food Additive Production
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced its decision to revoke the authorizations for methylene chloride as a diluent in inks used on fruits and vegetables, and for methylene chloride, ethylene dichloride, and trichloroethylene in the manufacturing of certain color additives. These color additives include annatto extract, paprika oleoresin, and turmeric oleoresin. The FDA's action follows a petition from several environmental and health organizations, including the Environmental Defense Fund and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, which cited the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. This clause mandates that a color additive ingested must be deemed unsafe if it causes cancer in humans or animals. Methylene chloride has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Additionally, the FDA is revoking authorizations for the three chemicals used in color additive production based on a petition from the International Association of Color Manufacturers, indicating that the...
