HHS Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the FDA will begin continuous reviews of chemicals in the U.S. food supply, replacing a decades-old static approach. The agency will evaluate science on an ongoing basis, identify risks earlier, and publicly share its findings. A new prioritization tool will flag chemicals that need urgent review, and the FDA will publish a running list of substances under review. Kennedy cited examples such as BHT and ADA and emphasized increased transparency and earlier risk detection.
FDA to Begin Continuous Reviews of Chemicals in U.S. Food, Kennedy Says
Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that the Food and Drug Administration will begin continuously reviewing chemicals present in the U.S. food supply — a major shift away from the decades-old static review system.
In a post on X and an accompanying video, Kennedy described new FDA measures designed to increase food-safety oversight and boost public transparency.
"The FDA will, for the first time, continuously review chemicals already in our food, replacing a decades-old system with continuous oversight for the first time," Kennedy said in the video.
He said the agency will evaluate scientific evidence on an ongoing basis, identify risks earlier and take action when necessary to protect public health. "We will evaluate the science on an ongoing basis. We'll identify the risks earlier, and we'll act when necessary to protect the public's health. We'll make our findings public," he added.
Prioritization Tool and Public Tracking
Kennedy said the FDA has developed a new prioritization tool to identify which chemicals require urgent review and to direct resources where they matter most. The agency plans to publish a running, publicly accessible list of chemicals under review so consumers and stakeholders can track progress and see decisions as they are made.
He mentioned that the review will include commonly discussed additives such as BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene, an antioxidant used in some foods) and ADA (a dough conditioner and processing additive sometimes referenced in debates about food safety).
"This approach replaces a static system with continuous oversight. It replaces limited visibility with full transparency. It allows us to identify risks earlier and act before harm occurs," Kennedy said.
The administration says the move is intended to strengthen scientific review, improve risk detection, and increase public confidence through regular updates and clearer disclosure of the FDA's findings.
Help us improve.
