News & Updates

EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Chemicals: The top 12 to avoid

Our food should be nourishing and safe to eat. But more than 10,000 chemicals are allowed in food sold in the U.S. Some are direct additives, such as preservatives like butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA, and butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, which are intentionally added to processed food. Others are so-called indirect additives, like heavy metals, which contaminate food during processing, storage and packaging.

But more than 10,000 chemicals are allowed in food sold in the U.S. Some are direct additives, such as preservatives like butylated hydroxyanisole, or BHA, and butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, which are intentionally added to processed food. Others are so-called indirect additives, like heavy metals, which contaminate food during processing, storage and packaging.

FDA decisions leave ortho-phthalates in food and our safety in limbo

On May 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced four incongruous actions in response to petitions submitted by EDF and others asking the agency to ban the use of more than two dozen ortho-phthalates (phthalates) in food packaging and processing equipment. We filed the petitions because we were concerned that these hormone-disrupting chemicals were harming people, especially children, who consume food contaminated by this class of chemicals. Since filing the petitions six years ago, the evidence of harm – and our concern for children’s health – have only grown more compelling.

Federal Nutrition Program Still Includes Baby Food Known to Be High in Arsenic

The first bite of solid food for many babies in this country comes in the form of infant rice cereal. And many parents get that cereal through the Women, Infants, and Children’s program, a federal initiative that provides nutritional support to 53 percent of all children born in the U.S. 

Nut Butters & Peanut Butter Sans Toxic PFAS “Forever Chemicals”– Purchasing Guide 2022

Are you looking for the best peanut butter & other nut butter without toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”? Indications of Per & polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS, a class of man-made chemicals linked to adverse health effects, were found in peanut butter & other nut butters as part of a consumer study commissioned by Mamavation.

FDA agrees to renewed call for reassessing health risks of BPA in food packaging

Originally published here. Last week, the Food and Drug Administration finally said it would heed calls from EWG and other top advocacy groups seeking to limit the use of bisphenol A, or BPA, in food packaging, an urgent need, given alarming new data about the chemical’s harm. In early April, the groups, led by the Environmental Defense […]

FDA agrees to reassess BPA risks

After more than a decade of pressure from environmental health advocates, the Food and Drug Administration is set to reconsider the health effects of a common and controversial industrial chemical often used in plastics.

The FDA Refuses to Ban These Toxic Chemicals In Food Packaging, Experts Say

Scientists say there is sufficient evidence that phthalates can cause serious harm to human health. Originally published here. On a scale of 1 to 10, how worried are you about harmful chemicals lurking in your food? Truth be told, you’re probably more concerned about the rising costs of gas and groceries, what your child is or isn’t learning in school […]

Fragmented FDA leadership contributed to formula failure

America’s infant formula shortage has raised urgent questions about the safety of our food supply. Most Americans believe America has the safest food supply in the world. But, the tragic failure to address contaminated infant formula as well as a hard-hitting investigation about the failures at FDA’s food safety division has revealed dangerous holes in our food safety net.

What Are Natural Flavors? Are They Vegan?

We break down this ambiguous ingredient to help you decipher vegan from non-vegan.

Thousands Of Unregulated Chemicals Are Currently In Your Food, Experts Say

Thanks to a loophole, chemical companies are the ones deciding whether their products are safe for our consumption.