United States of America Reopens Comment Period for Halogenated Solvents in Food and Color Additive Regulations

United States of America is reopening the comment period to remove ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and benzene from color and food additive regulations due to health concerns, specifically targeting halogenated solvents in food technology applications^{1, 2}.

USA – FOOD ADDITIVES

US Seeks to Ban Toxic Solvents from Food Production

FDA is asking for comments on removing carcinogenic chemicals from food and color additive rules.

What changed

Removal proposed for ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene from color additive regulations¹.

Removal proposed for benzene, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene from food additive regulations².

Focus on safety to eliminate carcinogenic substances and reduce exposure risks in food processing^{1, 2}.

Who it affects

Food processors using benzene, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, or trichloroethylene must prepare for regulatory changes².

Color additive manufacturers must review the use of ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene¹.

Stakeholders must submit updated scientific data and information to the FDA during the comment period^{1, 2}.

What to do

Review the specific solvents targeted for removal from food and color additive regulations.

Compile updated scientific data and information from the past two years.

Submit comments and data to the FDA during the reopened comment period.

United States — halogenated solvents in food and color additives

The United States of America has initiated a public comment period to reconsider the inclusion of several hazardous halogenated solvents in food and color additive regulations, with a focus on reducing exposure risks in food processing and industrial applications. Ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene are being proposed for removal from color additive rules under a petition filed by environmental groups, while benzene is also targeted in food additive regulations due to its carcinogenic properties^{1, 2}. The FDA is reopening the comment window to allow submission of updated scientific data and information from the past two years, ensuring transparency and public input before any final regulatory decisions are made^{1, 2}.

Color Additive Regulation Review

The Food and Drug Administration is reopening the comment period to remove ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene from color additive regulations, citing health and safety concerns, with the goal of eliminating these solvents from food technology processes¹.

Food Additive Regulation Review

The FDA is reopening the comment period to remove benzene, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene from food additive regulations, emphasizing the need to eliminate carcinogenic substances in food processing environments².

Sources

↩ G/SPS/N/USA/3440/Add.1 — Color Additive Petition from Environmental Defense Fund, et al.; Request To Amend the Color Additive Regulations To Remove the Solvents Ethylene Dichloride, Methylene Chloride, and Trichloroethylene; Reopening of the Comment Period https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NUSA3440A1.docx
↩ G/SPS/N/USA/3439/Add.1 — Food Additive Petition From Environmental Defense Fund, et al.; Request To Amend the Food Additive Regulations To Remove the Solvents Benzene, Ethylene Dichloride, Methylene Chloride, and Trichloroethylene; Reopening of the Comment Period https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NUSA3439A1.docx