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FACT BRIEF

Does the US allow 10,000 additives into food?

By Tom Kertscher
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YES

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estimates that more than 10,000 chemicals “have been authorized or are considered generally recognized as safe for use in food, or in contact with food in the U.S.”

The chemicals include food additives, color additives and chemicals used to make additives.

An Institute of Food Technologists journal reported in 2011 that the U.S. allows 10,000 additives in human food. An estimated 66% were approved by federal agencies, such as the FDA.

“Manufacturers and a trade association made the remaining decisions without (FDA) review by concluding that the substances were generally recognized as safe,” the researchers wrote.

The lead researcher, Thomas Neltner, told Wisconsin Watch he believes the count of chemicals is now 11,000.

Using the word ingredients, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, said Sept. 24, 2024 he heard the 10,000 statistic in testimony.

See a full discussion of this at Wisconsin Watch
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Google Docs Email from FDA 10/29/24
Institute of Food Technologists Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety
Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety - Navigating the U.S. Food Additive Regulatory Program
IHeart Vicki McKenna Show - Aiding and Abetting - The Vicki McKenna Show
Google Docs Ron Johnson food ingredients claim made Sept. 24, 2024
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Wisconsin Watch
Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.