The FDA has banned the use of seven synthetic substances used to flavor or enhance flavor in baked goods, ice cream, candy, beverages, and chewing gum.
Environmental and health advocacy groups sent data to the agency that showed that 6 of the substances cause cancer in lab animals, the FDA says, and the seventh flavor is being removed from approved additives as it is no longer used by industry.
On a label, the substances are listed as ''artificial flavors," rather than their specific names, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, one of the organizations that petitioned to get the flavors outlawed. The substances are typically added to simulate mint, cinnamon, and citrus.
The 6 are:
- Benzophenone
- Ethyl acrylate
- Eugenyl methyl ether
- Myrcene
- Pulegone
- Pyridine
The FDA also removed its approval for styrene, which has been abandoned by industry, the agency says.
The Petitioning
4 comments:
Contains natural and unnatural flavorings. That's how the labels should read, with a list of the names of the chemicals.
But i love my -ines and -enes. they make my food taste so much better- ene.
And your life shorter.
What is real interesting is that several of the substances are naturally occurring in plants. It is just a scary chemical name for what causes the flavor in the plant.
Post a Comment