BY SRH
According to NBC News, the FDA is considering banning a carcinogenic food pigment made from petroleum that is often found in beverages, snacks, cereals, and candies.
On Thursday, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods Jim Jones announced before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing that his agency will finalize the decision to remove the food dye FD&C Red No. 3, sometimes known as Red 3, from America’s food supply chain.
“So, (In) Red 3, we have a petition in front of us to revoke the authorization for it, and we are hopeful that within the next few weeks, we will be acting on that petition, and a decision should be forthcoming,” Jones informed us.
The FDA has said that it has examined the safety of Red 3 in snacks, beverages, confectionery, and other foods several times since its initial clearance in 1969. However, the current petition requests that the addition be evaluated again.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville observed, “Let me say this: Red 3 has been shown to cause cancer in cosmetics, but we still allow it to be used in our food. “I don’t understand that.”
According to Food Safety News, Connecticut Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro and 22 other congressional members have petitioned the FDA to ban Red Dye No. 3.
“A ban on Red 3 is not only statutorily required, but it is also feasible – alternatives are widely available,” the MPs said, adding that “34 years of inaction is far too long.” We urge the FDA to exercise its regulatory authority to prohibit Red 3 from our country’s food supply by the end of this Congress.”
The letter stated that Red 3 is clearly carcinogenic. The National Toxicology Program, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee for Food, and the World Health Organization have all concluded that petroleum-based food coloring causes cancer in animals. Even California has claimed that Red 3 causes neurobehavioral disorders in youngsters.
Now that President-elect Donald J. Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services, his capacity to clear the food supply chain of harmful dyes and highly processed foods may become a reality.
Recall that RFK Jr. highlighted food maker Kellogg’s Fruitloops cereal for youngsters, which includes “18 or 19 ingredients” in the US formula but just “2 or 3” in Canada.
Americans are only now understanding that mega-corporations have been selling them dangerous meals laced with petroleum-based colors and other harmful ingredients, which have contributed to the obesity epidemic and premature mortality.
It’s sometimes hard to determine if your favorite foods contain petroleum. Manufacturers often list it differently, making it hard to identify. As you read food labels, look for the following ingredients:
- tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
- tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
- butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- methyl benzoate
- ethyl methylphenidate
- blue 1
- blue 2
- yellow 5
- yellow 6
- red 40
- Mineral oil
