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Beltway Beat

HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Foods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Cereal

In a room filled with MAHA Moms, the FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr announced a series of new measures to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from the food supply.

“For too long, some food producers have been feeding Americans petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent,” said Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “These poisonous compounds offer no nutritional benefit and pose real, measurable dangers to our children’s health and development. That era is coming to an end. We’re restoring gold-standard science, applying common sense, and beginning to earn back the public’s trust. And we’re doing it by working with industry to get these toxic dyes out of the foods our families eat every day.”

For over a decade, Europe has enforced strict regulations on synthetic dyes Since 2010, foods containing certain synthetic dyes in the EU must carry warning labels stating they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” Many dyes commonly used in the U.S. are banned or tightly restricted in Europe, and manufacturers have responded by reformulating products with natural alternatives.

Many foods will need to be reformulated to remove synthetic dyes, including:

  • FRUIT LOOPS (RED 40, YELLOW 6, BLUE 1)
  • WELCH’S FRUIT SNACKS (RED 40, BLUE 1)
  • DORITOS (RED 40, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6)
  • MOUNTAIN DEW (YELLOW 5)
  • POP TARTS (RED 40, YELLOW 6, BLUE 1)
  • MISSION SPINACH WRAPS (YELLOW 5, BLUE 1)
  • SUCKERS STRAWBERRY SPREAD (RED 40)
  • MT. OLIVE PICKLES (YELLOW 5)
  • NERDS GUMMY CLUSTERS (RED 40, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1)
  • MONSTER ENERGY BLUE HAWAIIAN (BLUE 1)

These are just a few examples-hundreds of familiar products will be affected.

The FDA is fast-tracking the review of calcium phosphate, Galdieria extract blue, gardenia blue, butterfly pea flower extract, and other natural alternatives to synthetic food dyes. The agency is also taking steps to issue guidance and provide regulatory flexibilities to industry.

The FDA is taking the following actions:

  1. Establishing a national standard and timeline for the food industry to transition from petrochemical-based dyes to natural alternatives.
  2. Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.
  3. Working with industry to eliminate six remaining synthetic dyes—FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—from the food supply by the end of next year.
  4. Authorizing four new natural color additives in the coming weeks, while also accelerating the review and approval of others.
  5. Partnering with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct comprehensive research on how food additives impact children’s health and development.
  6. Requesting food companies to remove FD&C Red No. 3 sooner than the 2027-2028 deadline previously required.

“Today, the FDA is asking food companies to substitute petrochemical dyes with natural ingredients for American children as they already do in Europe and Canada,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH. “We have a new epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, depression, and ADHD. Given the growing concerns of doctors and parents about the potential role of petroleum-based food dyes, we should not be taking risks and do everything possible to safeguard the health of our children.”

In partnership with the NIH Nutrition Regulatory Science and Research Program, the FDA will enhance nutrition and food-related research to better inform regulatory decisions. This collaboration will strengthen the FDA’s ability to develop evidence-based food policies.

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Beltway Beat

Health Groups Urge FDA: Target Toxins, Preserve Safe Food Ingredients

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The paper was developed in response to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s March 10 directive to the FDA to explore eliminating the “self-affirmed” Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) pathway, which allows companies to determine food ingredient safety without FDA review.

The white paper advocates for an alternative to the total elimination of the ‘Self-GRAS’ pathway, focusing instead on eliminating the most hazardous chemicals while preserving access to safe, beneficial ingredients. The paper and further background materials can be found here.

ANH’s white paper has been endorsed by a range of groups, including the Global Wellness Forum, the Organic Consumers Association, and the National Foundation for Integrative Medicine, with more groups continuing to sign on. It was also sent to RFK, Jr. and various members of relevant FDA and HHS committees, encouraging them to incorporate this common-sense plan into GRAS reform.

“We support Secretary Kennedy’s intention to remove the most toxic substances from our food supply,” said Jonathan Emord, J.D., ANH General Counsel and co-author of the white paper. However, the government should avoid complete elimination of Self-GRAS, which would create a massive regulatory bottleneck, potentially removing thousands of safe ingredients from the market along with those that are unsafe.”

The authors emphasize that their targeted approach is particularly well-suited to the current reality of reduced resources at the Department of Health and Human Services. “By focusing regulatory scrutiny on the small subset of ingredients with demonstrated safety concerns rather than attempting to review all 10,000+ self-affirmed ingredients, this strategy allows the FDA to efficiently protect public health even with limited staff and resources,” the white paper explains.

According to ANH, the GRAS designation was established under the Food Additive Amendment of 1958 to exempt well-established, demonstrably safe food ingredients from the FDA’s rigorous pre-market approval process. Companies have used this pathway to introduce ingredients into the food supply, including colors, preservatives, technological additives, and chemicals, most of which have not been thoroughly reviewed for safety or reassessed after decades of use. While these concerns are valid, the Self-GRAS pathway remains vital for introducing safe, innovative products without unnecessary regulatory burdens.

ANH’s proposed reforms draw important contrasts with the European regulatory approach to food additives, where only about 400 ingredients are currently permitted. The paper argues this may be overly cautious, potentially depriving consumers of healthy options.

“Our white paper defines a strategy for balanced GRAS reform while avoiding the EU model of extensive regulatory overreach in favor of freedom of choice,” said Robert Verkerk, Ph.D., ANH’s Executive & Scientific Director and white paper co-author.

The white paper proposes several key reforms:

  1. Targeted Approach to Unsafe Ingredients: Prioritize the removal of specific unsafe ingredients rather than requiring re-evaluation of all 10,000+ self-affirmed GRAS substances. The paper identifies potassium bromate, propylparaben, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), sodium benzoate, and brominated vegetable oil (BVO) as examples of additives that may be injurious due to their chronic toxicity.
  2. Public Transparency Register: Create a comprehensive online database of all GRAS determinations, enhancing accountability and consumer information. This would complement the FDA’s recently announced Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool.
  3. Tiered Risk/Benefit Assessment: Implement a four-tier system that calibrates evidence requirements based on an ingredient’s history of use and safety profile. Substances with at least 30 years of safe use would face minimal requirements, while those with evidence of potential toxicity would require more robust safety data.
  4. “Safe Harbor” for Time-Tested Ingredients: Create a pathway for ingredients with a documented history of safe use for over 60 years, predating the 1958 Food Additive Amendment. These would be officially recognized by the FDA as “historically safe.”
  5. Appropriate Warning Requirements: When specific populations may be vulnerable to otherwise safe ingredients, warnings rather than outright bans should be required. The FDA would recognize such warnings as creating a presumption of safety for the ingredient.
Beltway Beat

HHS Announces Transformation to Make America Healthy Again

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a dramatic restructuring in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.”

The restructuring will address this and serve multiple goals without impacting critical services. First, it will save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year through a reduction in workforce of about 10,000 full-time employees who are part of this most recent transformation. When combined with HHS’ other efforts, including early retirement and Fork in the Road, the restructuring results in a total downsizing from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.

Secondly, it will streamline the functions of the Department. Currently, the 28 divisions of the HHS contain many redundant units. The restructuring plan will consolidate them into 15 new divisions, including a new Administration for a Healthy America, or AHA, and will centralize core functions such as Human Resources, Information Technology, Procurement, External Affairs, and Policy. Regional offices will be reduced from 10 to 5.

Third, the overhaul will implement the new HHS priority of ending America’s epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins. These priorities will be reflected in the reorganization of HHS.

Finally, the restructuring will improve Americans’ experience with HHS by making the agency more responsive and efficient, while ensuring that Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential health services remain intact.

FDA will decrease its workforce by approximately 3,500 full-time employees, with a focus on streamlining operations and centralizing administrative functions. This reduction will not affect drug, medical device, or food reviewers, nor will it impact inspectors.

“We aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said. “This Department will do more – a lot more – at a lower cost to the taxpayer.”

 

Beltway Beat

HHS USDA Launches Operation FAGA, Feed America Geese Again

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The USDA has announced in a Press Release a set of actions and initiatives focused on Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), called “Operation FAGA, Feed America Geese Again.”  The first action in this initiative is changing the name of the bird to America Geese. “Since the majority of the birds are in America, it’s only natural to call them America Geese” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

According to the press release, since there are a high population of America Geese in most parts of America, USDA’s second step in the initiative to replace ultra processed foods in school lunches with America Geese meat. Drake Larsen, a researcher in sustainable agriculture at Iowa State University, described them to The Atlantic magazine as “so yummy… good, lean, rich meat. I find they are similar to a good cut of beef.”

“FAGA is in line with MAHA (Make America Healthy Again)” added Secretary Kennedy. “The USDA will use all resources and authorities at its disposal to make sure America Geese products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them.”

When Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney learned of the bird’s name change, he commented “The animals are loud, obnoxious and make a mess everywhere they go. I guess the name fits!”

Editors note: No animal was injured in the publishing of this fake news. Happy April Fools Day! Photo credit: Rick Biros

Women in Food Safety

Boar’s Head Appoints Natalie Dyenson as its new Chief Food Safety Officer

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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Boar’s Head Brand announced the appointment of Natalie Dyenson as its new Chief Food Safety Officer, effective May 12, 2025. This hire follows a series of food safety initiatives taken across the organization.

In her new role, Dyenson will spearhead the company’s comprehensive food safety program, leveraging her extensive expertise to ensure the continued integrity of Boar’s Head products. She will also work closely with the Boar’s Head Food Safety Advisory Council on continuous innovations and enhancements to the Company’s safety and quality processes.

Dyenson brings nearly three decades of distinguished experience in food safety to Boar’s Head, marked by a proven track record of developing and implementing robust food safety programs. Her deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, industry best practices, and innovative food safety technologies will be instrumental in reinforcing Boar’s Head’s commitment to consumer safety and well-being.

“We are delighted to welcome Natalie Dyenson to the Boar’s Head family,” stated Frank Carzo, Chief Human Resources Officer. “Her expertise and unwavering dedication to food safety perfectly align with our mission to provide consumers with premium, trustworthy products. We look forward to benefitting from Natalie’s leadership as we further elevate our already stringent food safety protocols and reinforce our commitment to excellence.”

Prior to joining Boar’s Head, Dyenson served as the Chief Regulatory and Food Safety Officer for the International Fresh Produce Association. Her career also includes leadership roles as Vice President of Food Safety and Quality at Dole Food Company, as well as significant positions at Walmart and Walt Disney World. Her experience also spans roles at Silliker, Kash n’ Karry Supermarkets, and Harris Teeter, providing a comprehensive understanding of the food supply chain.

“I am honored to join Boar’s Head, a company with a long-standing reputation for quality and a dedication to high standards,” said Dyenson. “I am passionate about ensuring the safety of our food supply, and I look forward to working with the team at Boar’s Head to further enhance its food safety programs and maintain the trust of consumers.”

Frank Yiannas, Chief Food Safety Advisor at Boar’s Head posted in in LinkedIn “Delighted that Natalie Dyenson is joining Boar’s Head Brand as their new Chief Food Safety Officer. Advancing food safety requires both – food safety leadership & food safety management – and Natalie will do a great job along with their team there at doing both.”

PFAS

NSF Introduces PFAS-Free Certification

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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PFAS

NSF, a global public health and safety organization, has launched of NSF Certification Guideline 537: PFAS-Free Products for Nonfood Compounds and Food Equipment Materials (NSF 537). The new guideline leverages NSF’s laboratory and testing capabilities to confirm that products are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic or man-made materials that resist degradation also known as “forever chemicals.”

Due to their oil and water-repellant properties, PFAS are often used to make water or stain-resistant, nonstick and grease-proof products, including consumer goods, food equipment and nonfood compounds such as food-safe lubricants, cleaners and sanitizers. At the same time, PFAS are known to be carcinogenic and have been linked to detrimental health conditions, including liver disease, certain types of cancers and delayed development in children. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, people are most likely exposed to PFAS by consuming contaminated water or food.

“With growing concerns and new regulations being introduced on PFAS in our environment and food supply, NSF 537 represents a significant leap forward in consumer safety and transparency,” said Sam Cole, Director of Food Contact Evaluation at NSF. “This certification will empower forward-thinking manufacturers to clearly distinguish PFAS-free products, giving both retail and food businesses and consumers confidence and peace of mind.”

Key features of NSF Certification Guideline 537: PFAS-Free Products for Nonfood Compounds and Food Equipment Materials (NSF 537):

  • Evidence-based: The guideline is backed by decades of specialist food industry knowledge and standards development and is based on existing limits in state regulations.
  • Thorough Formulation Review: Technical review of product ingredients, confirming there are no intentionally added PFAS.
  • Comprehensive Testing: Ensures minimal to no detected total organic fluorine (TOF) levels with retesting every year.
  • Rigorous Disclosures: This requirement requires the manufacturer to attest that no PFAS additives or post-consumer recycled material are used in the product and that manufacturing facilities minimize cross-contamination.
  • Certification Mark: NSF PFAS-Free certified products are accompanied by the relevant official NSF certification mark, signifying compliance with the guideline to retailers and consumers.
  • Public Listing: Certified nonfood compounds are listed in the NSF White Book™ and certified food equipment materials are listed in NSF’s Certified Food Equipment listing.

“Certification to NSF 537 helps to reduce human exposure to these harmful chemicals while underscoring a commitment to meeting evolving regulations, consequentially opening up exporting opportunities,” Cole added. “By demanding NSF 537 certification, specifiers and buyers can further advance sustainable operations, including in food processing facilities, equipment manufacturing and the retail, foodservice and hospitality sectors.”

Designed by food safety specialists, NSF 537 is based on industry needs, in-depth food industry knowledge and decades of standards development. To achieve certification, nonfood compound products must first be registered under NSF’s Nonfood Compounds Guidelines or certified by NSF to ISO 21469, Safety of Machinery, Lubricants with Incidental Product Contact-Hygiene Requirements. Food equipment materials must be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 51: Food Equipment Materials to ensure that products meet minimum public health and sanitation requirements.

Note: PFAS-Free means that the product contains no intentionally added PFAS, no post-consumer recycled material, no intentionally used PFAS additives (PPA, etc.) and the Total Organic Fluorine is less than 50 ppm.

Beltway Beat

FDA Intends to Extend Compliance Date for Food Traceability Rule

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on its website that it intends to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (the “final rule”) by 30 months. The FDA intends to extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register.

The FDA remains committed to successful implementation of the full requirements of the final rule, as they will allow for faster identification and removal of potentially contaminated food from the market, resulting in fewer foodborne illnesses and deaths. Accordingly, the compliance date extension does not amend the requirements of the final rule. Instead, the compliance date extension affords covered entities the additional time necessary to ensure complete coordination across the supply chain in order to fully implement the final rule’s requirements—ultimately providing FDA and consumers with greater transparency and food safety.

The final rule establishes additional traceability recordkeeping requirements (beyond what is already required in existing regulations) for persons who manufacture, process, pack, or hold foods on the Food Traceability List. The final rule requires a higher degree of coordination between members of the food industry than has been required in the past. Therefore, to achieve the full public health benefits of the final rule, all covered entities must be in compliance. Even those few entities who are well positioned to meet the final rule’s requirements by January 2026 have expressed concern about the timeline, in part because of their reliance on receiving accurate data from their supply chain partners, who are not similarly situated. Therefore, FDA intends to allow industry additional time, across all regulated sectors, to fully implement the final rule’s requirements.

The FDA intends to use the extended time period to continue the agency’s work with stakeholders, including by participating in cross-sector dialogue to identify solutions to implementation challenges and by continuing to provide technical assistance, tools, and other resources to assist industry with implementation.

The final rule applies to domestic and foreign entities producing food for U.S. consumption and was issued in 2022 in accordance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

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Beltway Beat

HHS, FDA Announce Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool for Foods

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced in a Press Release, the Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool (CCT Tool), an online searchable database providing a consolidated list of contaminant levels (e.g., tolerances, action levels, and guidance levels) that are used to evaluate potential health risks of contaminants in human foods. Chemical contaminants include a broad range of chemical substances that may be present in food and that have the potential to cause harm.

To protect public health and help industry market products that are safe for U.S. consumers, the FDA establishes or utilizes tolerances, action levels and guidance levels for some contaminants in food. These are levels above which the agency may find that a food may be unsafe but do not represent permissible levels of contamination. The FDA uses these levels to help minimize or prevent chemical hazards in food.

“Ideally there would be no contaminants in our food supply, but chemical contaminants may occur in food when they are present in the growing, storage or processing environments,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H. “Because many of the most nutritious foods can also contain contaminants, consumers should eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within the main food groups of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein to help protect from possible exposure effects.”

The CCT Tool, which provides contaminant levels in one location for ease of searching, is one of the outcomes of the FDA’s initiative to modernize food chemical safety. The consolidated list includes the contaminant name, commodity, contaminant level type (e.g., action level, guidance level), level value and reference (e.g., Code of Federal Regulations, FDA Guidance for Industry). The list can also be filtered by contaminant type.

Beltway Beat

Maryland District Court Enters Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction against Totally Cool and CEO

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The FDA announced that on Tuesday, March 18, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Totally Cool, Inc., a Maryland-based manufacturer of ice cream and frozen desserts, and its CEO and owner, Michael J. Uhlfelder. On July 8, 2024, the FDA suspended Totally Cool’s food facility registration after an inspection of the firm revealed Listeria monocytogenes in the facility, as well as numerous failures of the firm to adhere to current good manufacturing practice for food safety, including sanitation requirements for employees and equipment. The consent decree prohibits Totally Cool and Mr. Uhlfelder from directly or indirectly receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, and/or distributing any article of food unless and until they meet certain requirements.

In 2024, Totally Cool recalled over 65 ice cream products due to listeria contamination.  The brands involved were Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery, Amafruits, Chipwich, Cumberland Farms, Dolcezza Gelato, Friendly’s, Hershey’s Ice Cream, Jeni’s, LaSalle, Marco, Taharka Brothers, the Frozen Farmer and Yelloh. More than 65 products were recalled, including ice cream cakes and sandwiches, as well as sorbets.

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Beltway Beat

HHS, FDA Announce Operation Stork Speed

By Food Safety Tech Staff
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The FDA is announced in a Press Release a set of actions and initiatives focused on infant formula, called “Operation Stork Speed” such as beginning the nutrient review process and increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. The agency is also encouraging companies to develop new infant formulas and clarify opportunities to help inform consumers about formula ingredients.

The FDA uses its authorities, both longstanding and newly granted, to uphold the safety, nutritional adequacy and resilience of infant formula and the infant formula supply. With Operation Stork Speed, the FDA is:

  • Starting the nutrient review required by law by issuing a Request for Information in the coming months to start the first comprehensive update and review of infant formula nutrients by the FDA since 1998
  • Increasing testing for heavy metals and other contaminants in infant formula and other foods children consume
  • Extending the personal importation policy
  • Encouraging companies to work with the FDA on any questions regarding increased transparency and clearer labeling
  • Communicating regularly with consumers and industry stakeholders as significant developments occur to ensure transparency, including information regarding nutrients and health outcomes
  • Collaborating with the National Institutes of Health and other scientific bodies to address priority scientific research gaps regarding short- and long-term health outcomes associated with formula feeding in infancy and childhood across the lifespan

“The FDA will use all resources and authorities at its disposal to make sure infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.