Toxic Free Food Act Closes Key Loopholes that Allow Secret Chemicals in our Food

“Environmental Defense Fund applauds Representative DeLauro for introducing the Toxic Free Food Act of 2021. The bill would direct FDA to fix the most significant flaws with the agency’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Rule that allows companies to secretly decide on the safety of chemicals in our food – without the agency’s review or the public’s knowledge. This is a critical step to improving transparency and ensuring toxic food chemicals do not harm our health. 

“Specifically, the bill would require: 

• Companies to notify the agency about new uses of GRAS substances;
• Companies to secure agency approval for newly synthesized and novel chemicals; and
• FDA to establish a Food Advisory Committee – which was shut down by the Trump Administration – to obtain guidance from key stakeholders.

“Thank you, Rep. DeLauro, for taking action that can help everyone have greater confidence in the safety of our food. We encourage members of Congress to support this bill.”