FDA releases update to tackle toxic foods in new report and expand Closer to Zero action plan

18 Jul 2022 --- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a Total Diet Study (TDS) report to help the agency prioritize food and safety nutrition efforts. The report covered the fiscal period 2018-2020, and analyzed 307 foods for 25 elements – both nutrients and toxins.

Nutrients that, if inadequately consumed, lead to poor health outcomes, such as calcium, iodine, iron and potassium, were analyzed. The TDS followed advice from the FDA to test toxicity, such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, as the report explains to be prioritized by the FDA due to the adverse health effects.

“Our work, combined with that of our stakeholders, has led to meaningful reductions in exposure to toxic elements. The FDA’s action plan builds on this progress and outlines a science-based, iterative approach for continually improving over time,” says the agency.

Toxins found in common foodsThe agency presents new methods and approaches to tackle toxins, revealing high concentrates in common foods.
When analyzing the toxins, mercury was not detected in 93% of the 3276 used samples. Only 33 samples were detected, and most food items were fish. 

Seafood, including canned tuna, baked cod and fish stocks, showed the highest levels of arsenic, contributing to previous studies mentioning seafood's high organic levels of arsenic species. Besides seafood, crisped rice cereal, brown and white rice, and baby food rice cereal also showed high arsenic concentrations. 

Cadmium concentrations had the highest mean in spinach and sunflower seeds and were also present in one sample of cocoa powder. Potato chips were the next food item in the line of mean levels of cadmium, concluding that leafy greens and root vegetables such as potatoes contain high levels, which also aligns with previous beliefs. 

The results for lead cannot be used to draw any conclusions. Even though baking and cocoa powder showed the highest concentrations, only one sample per item was tested. The report highlights the need for future research.

Getting closer to zero
The FDA explains the critical changes mentioned in the new report as: “streamlined analytical methods, a population-based sampling plan, an updated food list, and a system for relating TDS data to data from the What We Eat In America survey, the food consumption portion of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.”

With the gathered data, the TDS estimates the average of how many nutrients and contaminates the entire US population and subpopulations eat each day and complements the other food, safety and nutrition programs run by the agency.

Children and babies are more vulnerable than adults to the toxins. The smaller size of their bodies and their metabolism make the effects more harmful. 

The FDA is building on its close-to-zero action plan to reduce exposure of babies and children to these toxins.

The agency mentions dependent factors such as levels of the toxic elements in the foods and the amount consumed. The levels of elements depend on the air, water and soil used to grow the crops, varying on natural geographics and contamination. Babies and children are affected more by toxins because of their small body size.

Additionally, uptake from specific elements the food attracts and industrial, manufacturing and agricultural processes are factors to consider.

Money before health? 
Earlier this year, the FDA and industry were accused of prioritizing financial gains over public health. Families prepared lawsuits based on the claim that their children were injured after consuming baby food with heavy metals. 

The FDA has also flagged that fruits, vegetables and grains can absorb toxic elements from the environment, and it is not always feasible to put these levels to zero as there are limits to reduction. Therefore, parents need to be aware that making their baby food at home may not be less toxic, as there is a lack of controls on the ingredients used. The industry previously claimed that only finished products could be tested. 

The toxic metals can prevent neurological development in infants and long-term brain function. An investigative committee argued that manufacturers have been aware but sold toxic baby food to parents without their knowledge.

Edited by Beatrice Wihlander

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