New review framework launched
The FDA announced a new post-market safety program focused on food chemicals already in the food supply, beginning with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a preservative, and azodicarbonamide (ADA), a synthetic dough conditioner and bleaching agent used in baked goods. Former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary framed the effort as addressing consumer demand: "Americans want the FDA to take a fresh look at some of the chemical additives that have become widespread in our food supply."
The agency will use two tools to guide the reviews: its "Enhanced Systematic Process for Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food" document and its Post-Market Assessment Prioritization Tool. The FDA said the streamlined process incorporates "additional public engagement opportunities" and details on how it will identify potential safety signals, triage them, and communicate scientific assessments to the public.
The public comment period on BHT and ADA closes on July 13, 2026.
Industry backing with reservations
The Consumer Brands Association endorsed the FDA's effort, emphasizing "a modernized human foods program and ingredient review process that is based on rigorous science and risk-based evaluation." The Institute of Food Technologists said it would engage members to review the announcement and affirmed that "having food science at the center of decision making will help ensure that the health and well-being of the American consumer will be supported and fostered."
The American Bakers Association reported that 95% of its members already do not use ADA, with the remainder committed to phase it out as part of its Baked Goods Ingredient Pledge announced in February.
Scrutiny predates the FDA move
Both additives have faced pressure outside the formal regulatory process. ADA was banned in the European Union in 2005. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group has long included both chemicals in its "dirty dozen" list of additives to avoid.
EWG Vice President Melanie Benesh called on the FDA to act quickly. "There is already adequate information for the FDA to take action on these harmful chemicals and several states have already proposed restricting them in food, especially school food."
Concern over implementation pace
Benesh criticized the FDA's new framework for lacking specificity. She noted the assessment document and prioritization tool were "thin on details and fail to provide timelines or other metrics for quickly and thoroughly assessing the safety of food chemicals" and that neither mentions "reasonable certainty of no harm" as the legal safety standard for food additives.
Broader chemical safety effort
The FDA action follows its February request for information on butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant used to preserve fats and oils. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted the urgency: "BHA has remained in the food supply for decades despite being identified by the National Toxicology Program as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' based on animal studies."