Color Additive Petition from Environmental Defense Fund, et al.; Request To Amend the Color Additive Regulations To Remove the Solvents Ethylene Dichloride, Methylene Chloride, and Trichloroethylene; Reopening of the Comment Period
Key claim: The FDA is reopening the public comment period on a 2024 petition to remove ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene from color additive regulations to allow submission of updated data.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Health and Human Services Department, Food and Drug Administration) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is reopening the comment period for the notification of petition, published in the Federal Register of January 11, 2024, announcing that we filed a color additive petition proposing that the color additive regulations be amended to remove three specified solvents. FDA is reopening the comment period to allow for the submission of any updated data and other information over the last two years.
Why this matters
Color additive regulations govern solvents used in producing colorants for foods, drugs, and cosmetics, and the three solvents at issue (ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, trichloroethylene) are recognized human or animal carcinogens also regulated under EPA air, water, and TSCA programs. Reopening the comment period signals FDA is actively reconsidering these listings, which could tighten permitted solvent residues in food-contact color additives. The procedural step itself does not change the rules but keeps the petition alive and open to updated toxicology and exposure data.