NCA Statement On Latest Consumer Reports Article On Food Additives

NCA Statement On Latest Consumer Reports Article On Food Additives

24 Oct 2024

WASHINGTON - In response to an October 24, 2024 Consumer Reports article calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban certain FDA-approved food additives, the National Confectioners Association released the following statement and additional background information:

NCA STATEMENT

"It's time to stop pretending that magazine publishers have the scientific expertise and qualifications to make these very important determinations. No authoritative body in the world has identified any safety concerns with the use of Red Dye 3 in food, including FDA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). The FDA is currently re-reviewing Red Dye 3, and we are waiting for these scientific experts to conclude their work. We are committed to food safety, and our products are made using only FDA-approved ingredients."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE STATES?

More states are walking away from food additives bans than are adopting them. Following California's adoption of a food additive ban in the fall of 2023, several states considered copycat proposals. Similar bills have been rejected in the following states because the proposals lack scientific basis: New York, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Washington, and West Virginia. Kentucky legislators passed a resolution acknowledging that food safety decisions should be based in fact and driven by those with regulatory expertise. 

WHAT ARE EXPERTS SAYING?

James Coughlin, PhD, CFS and Craig Llewellyn, PhD: "Numerous reports have included reference to the potential banning of the food additives in other countries, insinuating that the U.S. lags in safeguarding consumers. These allegations, however, stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the science of toxicology, the linchpin of food additive safety, and the meticulous regulatory oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." March 21, 2024

U.S. Food and Drug Administration: "Reading or hearing about chemicals in food, when combined with words like 'toxic,' 'extremely dangerous' and 'cancer-causing' may be scary, especially if you aren't getting all the facts." April 2, 2024

Health Canada: "Health Canada has reviewed the relevant scientific information on reported linkages between certain synthetic food colours and neurobehavioural effects in children and has found that the presented evidence is insufficient to demonstrate a causal relationship. Health Canada also found no conclusive scientific evidence that titanium dioxide is a concern for human health when used as a food additive." February 16, 2024

Institute of Food Technologists Chief Science and Technology Officer Bryan Hitchcock: "Food additives not only help improve shelf life and reduce microbiological growth but help ensure a safe and affordable food supply while also reducing food loss and waste." March 28, 2024

University of Rhode Island Professor of Nutrition Dr. Kathleen Melanson: "Consumers do not need to be paranoid, or panic stricken about these additives. An occasional treat of a food containing them should not pose a risk." November 1, 2023

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Institute Of Food Technologists Food Additives Toolkit

Facts About Titanium Dioxide

Myths vs. Facts: Food Additives

Red Dye 3 & Titanium Dioxide Fact Sheet

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About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading trade organization for the $48 billion U.S. confectionery industry. NCA advocates for an environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S. confectionery industry has made a commitment to increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy, balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow NCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.