United States: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., overseeing the FDA, has pledged to fight chronic diseases by improving the American diet. He’s urged fast-food chains to ditch seed oils in favor of beef tallow and has called out synthetic food dyes as a growing concern, as reported by Reuters.
Post-Layoffs, FDA Sets New Chemical Review Strategy
According to Kyle Diamantas, the acting deputy commissioner for human foods, recent FDA staff cuts under President Trump forced the agency to rethink its approach. The FDA will now prioritize reviewing food chemicals that have raised public concern or are flagged by international food safety bodies.
“Historically, the FDA has been somewhat reactionary… We’re aiming for a more proactive process,” Diamantas said at a recent food safety conference near Chicago.
BHT, BHA Among Top Priorities
One major focus is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a common preservative in fatty foods. Other additives like BHA and ADA are also under review. A formal plan outlining further chemical evaluations will be released this May for public feedback.
Microbiological Safety Still a Key Priority
Despite the shift toward reviewing food additives, Diamantas assured stakeholders that microbiological food safety remains the FDA’s largest and most well-funded division, as reported by Reuters.
CDC Sees Shakeup, But Focus on Food Continues
Meanwhile, the CDC—previously affected by leadership changes under Kennedy—has dissolved its environmental health unit. However, officials say their food safety strategy remains intact and ongoing.
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