Food Additive Regulations

When FDA evaluates the safety of an unapproved food additive to decide whether it should be approved, FDA considers: 1) the composition and properties of the substance, 2) the amount that would typically be consumed, 3) immediate and long-term health effects, and 4) various safety factors.

 

When a food additive is approved, FDA issues a regulation that may include the types of foods in which it can be used, the maximum amounts to be used, and how it should be identified on food labels.  These regulations are published in the Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

 

 

Part (in 21 CFR)	Heading
172	FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
173	SECONDARY DIRECT FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
179	IRRADIATION IN THE PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND HANDLING OF FOOD
180	FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED IN FOOD OR IN CONTACT WITH FOOD ON AN INTERIM BASIS PENDING ADDITIONAL STUDY