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Many Foods On US Supermarket Shelves Are Banned Elsewhere Around The World

But that doesn't necessarily mean they're dangerous. Many Foods On US Supermarket Shelves Are Banned Elsewhere Around The World Giphy

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For most Americans, food safety isn’t a persistent concern. Aside from the occasional recall or report about unsanitary conditions at a factory, we generally just assume that the items stocked in grocery stores are safe to eat. But should we?

The U.S. vs. the world

Although the Food and Drug Administration handles many regulations at the federal level, many others are determined at the state and local level. That results in a patchwork of rules across the nation and varying standards depending on jurisdiction.

California has banned several chemicals permitted by federal regulators.

In comparing and contrasting U.S. regulations with those across Europe and elsewhere around the globe, however, we’ll be focusing primarily on the FDA’s role.

That federal agency operates according to the standard that food safety maintains a “reasonable certainty of no harm.”

Meanwhile, regulators across the European Union often opt to prohibit the use of potentially harmful food additives and chemicals even before there’s any definitive proof.

Which approach is best?

The FDA’s current approval process dates back to the 1950s, which on one hand might be a testament of its strength but on the other gives rise to concerns that it’s no longer up to the task of addressing modern food safety issues.

Specifically, the agency maintains a “Generally Recognized As Safe” designation that allows many newer food additives to be included in the U.S. food supply even without an official FDA review.

U.S. regulators are also underfunded, leading to concerns that the FDA isn’t up to the task of ensuring the highest level of food safety.

On the other hand, the more hardline approach of European regulators has earned high marks for safety but some critics believe it needlessly bans certain ingredients that don’t pose a risk to the public.

Chris Agee
Chris Agee November 6th, 2024
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