FDA seeks public input on food chemical ranking to guide future safety reviews

U.S.A. – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a proposed method for ranking chemicals in the food supply, opening it to public comment as part of the agency’s growing effort to strengthen food chemical safety oversight. 

This new framework aims to prioritize chemicals for post-market review, with the public comment period remaining open until July 18, 2025

This initiative forms part of the FDA’s broader plan to build a transparent, science-based post-market chemical review program. 

The agency’s food safety mission includes both pre-market evaluations, before substances are authorized for use, and post-market assessments, which ensure continued safety as scientific knowledge evolves.

Post-market activities involve reviewing new scientific data related to food ingredients and substances that come into contact with food. The FDA monitors the food supply for contaminants, including those introduced during production, processing, or environmental exposure. 

In addition to reviewing safety data, the agency establishes regulatory limits, provides industry guidance, and ensures compliance with manufacturing and preventive control standards.

The FDA also plays a critical role in enforcing pesticide residue tolerances established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

This includes domestic foods distributed across state lines and imported foods, except for meat, poultry, certain egg products, and catfish, which are overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

Through domestic and international collaboration, the FDA works to reduce or eliminate exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. When new data indicates that a substance may no longer be safe, the agency can take regulatory action, ranging from revoking authorizations and issuing safety alerts to negotiating voluntary recalls and phase-outs with industry.

To enhance public trust, the FDA maintains a public list of chemicals under post-market review and an inventory of Post-market Determinations, including those found not to meet the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) criteria.

This transparency allows stakeholders and consumers alike to track the agency’s chemical safety efforts.

As part of its evolving regulatory approach, the FDA invites stakeholders to contribute scientific and practical perspectives on its chemical prioritization framework.

Public input will help shape future assessments and improve regulatory tools designed to safeguard the U.S. food supply.

The FDA encourages the public to comment in the docket FDA-2025-N-1733.

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