FDA unveils online database of chemical substances in food as part of MAHA initiative

In an announcement from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Food and Drug Administration launched an online searchable database of all the chemical substances that may be present in food and pose potential health risks. The Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool provides contaminant levels in an initiative to modernize food chemical safety.

Ongoing monitoring of the food supply through testing foods under different programs within the FDA will promote radical transparency to make sure all Americans know what is in their food, according to a press release.

“HHS is committed to radical transparency to give Americans authentic, informed consent about what they are eating,” Secretary Kennedy said. “This new Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool is a critical step for industry to Make America Healthy Again.”

The online searchable and consolidated list, which can be filtered by contaminant, “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),” according to a press release.

The announcement of the Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool (CCT Tool) is part of Kennedy’s goal to Make America Healthy Again in which the FDA will continue to establish or utilize tolerances, action levels and guidance levels for some contaminants in food, a press release reported. These levels used by the FDA will continue to help minimize or prevent chemicals 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,” Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H., acting FDA Commissioner, said. “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.”