The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday a sweeping update to how it evaluates chemicals in the U.S. food supply, unveiling a new post-market safety framework while also beginning formal reassessments of two commonly used additives, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and azodicarbonamide (ADA).
The agency said the new initiative establishes a structured, ongoing system for reviewing existing food chemicals as new scientific information becomes available. The goal, FDA officials said, is to more systematically identify potential safety concerns, prioritize chemicals for scientific review, and communicate findings more clearly to the public.
Central to the rollout is a finalized framework titled “Enhanced Systematic Process for Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food,” which outlines how the agency will monitor and evaluate “signals” related to chemical hazards, exposure, and usage in the food supply. The FDA said the process was refined following public feedback, including clearer steps for how information will be collected, triaged, and communicated.
The agency also released a second document, the “Post-Market Assessment Prioritization Tool,” which is intended to help rank food chemicals for full scientific evaluation based on potential risk to public health. The FDA said it simplified its scoring criteria and incorporated external scientific peer review to improve clarity and focus on health outcomes.
Alongside the framework, the FDA announced reassessments of BHT and ADA and issued requests for information seeking updated data on their use and safety. BHT is used to help preserve fats and oils and is found in products such as cereals, frozen meals, baking mixes, chewing gum and snack foods. ADA is used in flour processing as a bleaching agent and dough conditioner and also has applications in food contact materials.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H., said the effort reflects a broader push to reexamine long-standing additives in the food system. “Americans want the FDA to take a fresh look at some of the chemical additives that have become widespread in our food supply,” he said. “By establishing a comprehensive, science-based framework for reviewing chemicals like BHT and ADA, we're delivering the rigorous oversight Americans deserve. We will act swiftly based on our findings.”
Deputy Commissioner for Food Kyle Diamantas, J.D., said the framework is intended to improve transparency and consistency in how food chemicals are evaluated over time. “Today’s release finalizes our framework for this new, dedicated reassessment program that provides Americans with confidence that the FDA is ensuring chemicals in the U.S. food supply remain safe as new scientific information becomes available,” he said. “This systematic, transparent approach helps protect public health and reinforces the rigorous safety standards that protect American consumers.”
The FDA said it will continue updating its public list of chemicals under review and will accept comments on the BHT and ADA information requests through July 13, 2026. Food manufacturers, researchers, and consumers are encouraged to submit relevant data as part of the ongoing reassessment process.