The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is launching a "stronger, more systematic" review process for chemicals in food.
The US government agency said in a statement, citing US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the aim is to "increase transparency and ensure the safety of chemicals in our food".
A "modernised, evidence-based prioritisation scheme" will be introduced by the FDA to review chemicals currently used in foods and the agency will put the proposals out for public comment. It also plans to introduce a "systematic post-market review process" with stakeholder inputs.
The chemicals BHT, BHA and ADA are added to a list of chemicals under review. Those already within the review scope include phthalates, propylparaben and titanium dioxide.
It said that post-market reviews have been historically conducted on a case-by-case basis, often in response to citizen petitions or new scientific evidence, but that its new framework will be "proactive, science-based, and built for long-term impact".
"Americans are demanding more transparency and accountability around food safety and the FDA is doing just that," according to the statement.
Kennedy said: "No parent should ever worry about what's in their child's food. We're taking decisive action and using every authority we have to clean up the food supply and protect American families."
FDA Commissioner Martin Makary added: “We are prioritising our resources and leveraging gold standard science to create, for the first time, a systematic post-market review programme that consumers can trust and rely on.
“Only by improving the safety and transparency of the food supply and ensuring consumers can make healthful food choices will we overcome the long-standing trajectory of chronic diseases."
The FDA unveiled measures in April to phase out the use of petroleum-based food dyes by the end of next year.
In January, it moved to ban the use of the so-called Red 3 food colouring additive in food, supplements and ingestible drugs.
Earlier this month, the agency approved three natural colour additives – galdieria extract blue, calcium phosphate, and butterfly pea flower extract – for use in food and drinks manufacturing.
