WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently launched new safety reviews of two widely used food additives while finalizing a broader framework for reassessing chemicals already approved for use in the U.S. food supply.
The agency has begun post-market reassessments of butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, and azodicarbonamide, known as ADA, as part of a new chemical review initiative intended to identify emerging health risks tied to food additives.
The move reflects increasing federal scrutiny of chemicals used in processed foods and food manufacturing as regulators face pressure to reevaluate ingredients approved decades ago under older scientific standards.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary described the effort as a response to growing public concern over the prevalence of chemical additives in foods.
“Americans want the FDA to take a fresh look at some of the chemical additives that have become widespread in our food supply,” Makary said in a statement.
BHT is commonly used to prevent spoilage in fats and oils and appears in products including cereals, frozen meals, cookies, chewing gum, and processed meats. ADA is used as a flour whitening agent and dough conditioner in breadmaking and also has applications in food-contact manufacturing materials.
The FDA indicated the reassessments will operate under a newly finalized post-market chemical review framework outlining how the agency identifies potential safety concerns, prioritizes chemicals for scientific review, and communicates findings to the public.
The framework includes a prioritization tool designed to rank chemicals based on potential public-health risk. According to the agency, the system was revised following public comments and external scientific peer review.
Kyle Diamantas characterized the framework as a more structured approach for updating chemical safety evaluations as scientific evidence evolves.
The FDA is seeking public input on the use and safety of BHT and ADA through requests for information that remain open until July 13, 2026.
Food manufacturers, researchers, and consumers may submit scientific data and other information as part of the review process, the agency noted.
Additional details about the chemical review program are available through the FDA food chemical safety page and the FDA chemicals under review list.
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