EDF and Health Advocates Prevail: FDA Bans Seven Cancer-Causing Flavorings

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cheryl

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EDF and Health Advocates Prevail: FDA Bans Seven Cancer-Causing Flavorings - Environmental Defense Fund

New legal strategy deployed to compel agency action

Today, in response to a 2015 food additive petition by Environmental Defense Fund and other public health advocates, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed its approval of seven artificial flavors because they have been shown to cause cancer in animal studies.

These chemicals are believed to be used in foods like candy, chewing gum, baked goods, ice cream and beverages to simulate flavors like mint, cinnamon, and citrus. They would appear on the label as "artificial flavors."

The chemicals losing approval are: benzophenone, ethyl acrylate, eugenyl methyl ether, myrcene, pulegone, and pyridine. The FDA also removed approval for styrene without ruling on its status as a carcinogen. For one of the chemicals, benzophenone, FDA went a step further and removed approval for use as a plasticizer in flexible plastics.
 
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