The FDA’s oversight of food additives is weaker than its oversight of prescription drugs

There are at least 950 substances in our food that are not permitted in Europe , expert says.

FDA leaves it to food companies to determine whether their ingredients and additives are safe.

Food companies keep secret much of what they put in their products.

The FDA 's oversight of food additives is much weaker than its oversight of prescription drugs.

KFF poll: 58% of respondents want the Trump administration to prioritize setting stricter limits on chemicals in the U.S. food supply.

At his confirmation hearing, Makary said some ingredients cause a chronic, low-grade inflammatory reaction in the gastrointestinal tract.

FDA allows titanium dioxide to be used to enhance the appearance of foods, among other purposes.

Congress carved out an exception for substances “generally recognized as safe” that came to be known simply as GRAS .

Over time, “the loophole swallowed the law,” says a 2014 report by the Natural Resources Defense Council .

About 3,000 flavoring ingredients have been deemed GRAS by a panel of scientists working for an industry group.