The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to the manufacturer of the apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches that gave hundreds of children across the U.S. lead poisoning in late 2023.
Pesticide residues were detected in 92 percent of conventionally grown Dutch strawberries, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other toxic chemicals were found in more than two-thirds of samples, according to a recent, small-scale study from Pesticide Action Network Netherlands.
After a recent sampling project, Consumer Reports is calling attention to concerning levels of perchlorate in foods, especially those intended for babies and children. Perchlorate is a chemical used in rocket fuel, some plastics, and other products. Exposure to the chemical can harm the thyroid.
A new study has found that California community drinking water systems serving majority Latino communities are disproportionately contaminated by higher nitrate and arsenic contamination, and that the issue is exacerbated by droughts.
California AB 2316, which is named the California School Food Safety Act and aims to ban six synthetic food dyes from school foods, will soon face an important vote. Proponents and detractors of the bill have made their voices heard ahead of the vote.
State action on PFAS is ongoing, and many states are currently seeking to adopt new rules for PFAS in food packaging or expand the scope of existing laws
New regulations concerning per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) have impacted the food and beverage industry, but it will take time to replace PFAS with safe substances, as well as to establish comprehensive regulations and enforcement. However, time is running out.
A recent, 8-year-long analysis of U.S. dark chocolate and cocoa products revealed a significant portion of samples to contain cadmium and lead levels exceeding California Proposition 65 maximum allowable limits, although concentrations of toxic heavy metals were seen to reduce over time.
On September 25, FDA will hold a public meeting on its work to develop an enhanced systematic process for the postmarket assessment of chemicals in foods, with in-person and virtual attendance options available.
FDA recently asserted that available scientific evidence “does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.” However, the agency acknowledges the current science is limited by a lack of standard definitions or methods.