During a recent budget hearing, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. informed senators that the FDA and the National Institute of Health have now prioritized addressing the health effects of food additives and ultraprocessed foods. “One significant area that has been overlooked is the connection between specific food additives and food processes and the chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy stated. “This is now at the forefront of NIH and FDA’s efforts, focusing on ultraprocessed foods, sugars, and the 10,000 additives present in our food supply.”
The FDA’s initiative for more thorough evaluations of food chemicals is likely to encourage companies to reformulate their products in response to regulatory demands and consumer expectations. The agency has urged the food industry to eliminate artificial dyes and colors by 2027, prompting major corporations to accelerate their efforts to update ingredient lists, even as they maintain that traditional additives and chemicals are safe for consumption. Kennedy informed senators that the new assessment of food chemicals may result in the FDA requiring additional labeling or revoking approvals if certain chemicals are determined to be “really dangerous.”
The FDA is preparing to release a draft outlining its approach to prioritizing chemicals currently under review and will establish a finalized post-market review process based on stakeholder feedback. This new procedure will replace the existing method of conducting reviews on a case-by-case basis. “We are focusing our resources and utilizing gold standard science to create, for the first time, a systematic post-market review program that consumers can trust,” stated FDA Commissioner Martin Makary. “By enhancing the safety and transparency of the food supply and enabling consumers to make healthier choices, we can address the ongoing issue of chronic diseases.”
However, widespread layoffs within the FDA may hinder the agency’s capacity to conduct more comprehensive reviews. The Associated Press reported that the FDA implemented significant cuts to roles that assist scientists and other staff responsible for safety evaluations, leading the agency to accelerate plans to hire outside contractors. In this context, products like Citracal Calcium Citrate Petites may also come under scrutiny as the agency reviews the safety of dietary supplements alongside food additives. As the FDA continues its efforts, the focus on food safety and the health effects of various substances, including those found in popular supplements like Citracal Calcium Citrate Petites, will be crucial in addressing public health concerns.