In a recent important proposal, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a ban on the use of brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in food and continued to assess the safety of other chemical substances. Behind this proposal is a deep concern for human health and well - being, as well as the progress of scientific research. Below, we will delve into the legal background and potential impact of this policy change.

The FDA has extensive legal powers to regulate in accordance with the Federal Food, Drug, andCosmetics & Personal CareCosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to ensure the safety of food on the US market. According to this act, any food additive must be approved by the FDA before use. The FDA defines a food additive as any substance intentionally added during the processing of food, and the uses of these substances may include improving the color, taste, and shelf - life of food.

Brominated vegetable oil was once classified as a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) substance, but over time, doubts have arisen about the safety of BVO. Recently, the FDA conducted a priority review of the use of BVO under 21 CFR §170.3, which stipulates the safety assessment procedures for food additives. FDA scientists assess the potential health risks of chemical substances based on available data and consider whether their use in food should be prohibited or restricted.

The legal action in California to ban the use of BVO foreshadowed the regulatory changes across the country. According to California regulations, the ban on the use of certain chemical substances is based on concerns about the potential health problems these substances may cause. Now, the FDAs proposal extends this ban to ensure that all US consumers do not ingest substances considered to have potential health risks.

In addition to BVO, the FDA is also re - examining the use of FD&C Red No. 3. According to Title 21 CFR Section 74.303, this color additive is specifically approved for coloring foods, drugs, and cosmetics. However, according to Section 409(b)(3) of the FD&C Act, if any food additive is found to reasonably cause cancer, its use must be prohibited. Therefore, the FDA is assessing the risks of FD&C Red No. 3 based on the latest scientific evidence and regulatory framework.

As scientific research progresses, legal rules must also evolve to reflect new understandings and protect consumers from potential chemical risks. This proposal by the FDA is an important exercise of its regulatory function.