FDA Bans 7 Cancer-Causing Food Additives

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today effectively banned seven cancer-causing chemicals added to a variety of food and beverages for artificial flavoring—from ice cream and baked goods, to gum and beer. The chemicals are often only listed as “artificial flavors” rather than by name, and are added to give items cinnamon, floral, mint and other flavors.

The decision comes in response to legal action brought by the Natural Resources Defense Council and a coalition of health, consumer and environmental groups: Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Center for Environmental Health, Center for Food Safety, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Working Group and WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

A statement follows from Erik Olson, Senior Director of Health and Food at NRDC:

“Carcinogens have no place in the food we feed our families. This is welcome news for millions of Americans who have been unknowingly snacking on cancer-causing chemicals for far too long. FDA’s free pass for these dangerous secret ingredients stops now.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.​

 

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