Unapproved Ingredients Found in Over 100 US Food Products
Over a hundred commonly consumed food items, supplements, and beverages in the United States contain ingredients that have never been evaluated for safety by the nation’s food safety authority. This alarming information comes from an analysis of federal records.
These unapproved ingredients are found in a wide range of food products—from drinks and broths to smoked fish and snack bars. The existence of these unchecked substances is attributed to a loophole in the regulation system.
The Loophole in the System: GRAS
The rule known as the "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) was established in 1958 to allow common ingredients like salt or white vinegar to bypass an otherwise lengthy and unnecessary review process. However, it seems like this rule is being taken advantage of.
Companies have reportedly been using the GRAS rule to introduce potentially harmful new chemicals or substances into the food system without any oversight. Some of these ingredients have even been linked to health issues. For instance, in one case, food made with a GRAS-approved ingredient was believed to have caused over 300 illnesses and 113 hospitalizations.
This investigation is a stark reminder that the safety of chemicals in food should not be assumed. "Food and chemical companies are exploiting a loophole to keep both the government and the public in the dark," said one of the co-authors of the report.
The Investigation Findings: Unchecked Substances
The investigation identified 111 substances of unknown safety. This number could be higher, as the lack of a safety review doesn't necessarily mean an ingredient is dangerous. These substances are popularly used by well-known brands.
GRAS is not the only way some chemicals are approved. For example, food colorings or chemicals added to packaging can enter the food system through different channels, which are not included in the report.
Under GRAS, companies must show that a new food ingredient is safe by providing widely accepted scientific evidence that’s publicly available. Informing the food safety authority of this safety data ensures regulatory compliance, but it is also voluntary. Manufacturers can legally declare their products to be safe.
However, some companies push the boundaries of what is considered "widely accepted" science and provide limited data or reviews from a small group of scientists selected by the companies.
Unknown Safety: Potentially Dangerous Ingredients
Companies do not disclose which products contain these substances. The investigators had to cross-check their findings with a public ingredient database, which provides ingredient information for about 4,000 products. They found that 49 out of the 111 substances were not reported. Some of these are known to be potentially dangerous, such as aloe vera extract, which is linked to cancer if consumed and is prohibited in some medicines due to its toxicity.
The investigation found 22 extracts, including those from mushrooms, green tea, cinnamon, and cocoa. While these ingredients seem harmless and suggest added nutrition, the extraction process changes the chemical composition. The substances do not carry the same nutritional benefit, and the impact on the body is often unknown.
One of the report's authors highlighted that the extract could be obtained with a toxic medium, such as benzene or methyl chloride. This presents "complex questions" that are not always answered in GRAS.
Real Life Consequences
Substances found in green tea leaves have been linked to lower cancer rates and other health benefits. But the purified extract form, identified in over 900 products, has been linked to heart and brain defects, fetal leukemia, suppression of estrogen, and liver, kidney, and intestinal toxicity.
Mushrooms are considered a rich source of nutrients, but some mushroom extract is linked to liver inflammation. The report found 428 products that used one type of mushroom extract. Certain types of mushroom extract have caused hallucinations and nervous system problems, but they remain available in supplements.
The report also noted how caffeine, approved under GRAS for cola makers, was added to highly alcoholic beverages in the early 2000s. After a series of injuries and a death, caffeine in alcoholic drinks was effectively banned.
"This is not a theoretical exercise – this has real-life consequences," said an independent food safety consultant and co-author of the report.
Call for Regulatory Changes
There have been calls for the authorities to close the GRAS loophole, but the proposed actions have been relatively weak. The substances identified in the report "represent only the tip of an iceberg that undermines our health," said the executive director of a non-profit organization. He emphasized that "not industry – needs to be reviewing novel food chemicals for safety."
There is a need for the promise to close the loophole that threatens the integrity of our food supply to be fulfilled. This issue is critical to ensure the safety of our food and the health of the public.
