For decades, potentially harmful chemicals have been allowed for use in our food, often without proper oversight. EWG has long been working to change that.
We’ve joined forces with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI, and other advocacy groups to take on the food chemical and food contact materials industries directly.
EWG, CSPI and others have filed petitions seeking stricter food oversight, challenged outdated safety standards and demanded change.
Here is a timeline of actions taken by EWG and CSPI since 1994 to prompt government action and the laws and regulations that have been put in place.
CSPI petitions the Food and Drug Administration to require trans fats be listed on Nutrition Facts labels.
The FDA finalizes the ruling requiring trans fats be listed on Nutrition Facts labels.
CSPI petitions the FDA to revoke the “generally recognized as safe,” or GRAS, status for partially hydrogenated oils.
CSPI launches Chemical Cuisine, a consumer-focused interactive database that rates the safety of hundreds of additives, drawing on scientific evidence from sources like the FDA, the World Health Organization and the European Food Safety Authority.
EWG, CSPI and seven other organizations petition the FDA to ban the use of perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, from use in food packaging.
EWG launches Food Scores, our database empowering consumers to find out what’s in their food based on nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns.
EWG, CSPI and seven other organizations petition the FDA to roll back its approval of seven cancer-causing artificial flavors for use in food.
CSPI co-sponsors and EWG supports a bill directing the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to study the effect of synthetic food dyes on children.
To work together on messaging, EWG, CSPI and other groups form the Food Chemical Alliance, a coalition of science-based food-focused organizations.
EWG, CSPI and over 20 other advocates and advocacy organizations petition the FDA to reverse approval of Red Dye No. 3 food uses.
California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encinco) introduces the California Food Safety Act to ban four toxic chemicals – potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, propyl paraben and Red 3 – from food manufactured or sold in the state.
EWG, CSPI, Environmental Defense Fund and the Center for Food Safety petition the FDA to reverse its approval of food uses of titanium dioxide.
The California Food Safety Act is signed into law.
Gabriel introduces the California School Food Safety Act, to ban six artificial dyes from foods served in public schools. It is later signed into law.
Following California’s success, more states introduce bills to regulate food chemicals.
The FDA bans brominated vegetable and Red 3 from food.
Dozens of states introduce legislation to regulate food chemicals.
A handful of bills targeting food chemicals are signed into law in California, Florida, Utah and West Virginia, among other states.
