What is FDA doing about furan in foods?
Since first investigating furan in foods with a semi-quantitative method, FDA has refined its method to give quantitative furan measurements, applied that method to a limited number of foods, and begun planning for a larger survey of foods. FDA has also published in the Federal Register a call for data on furan from the scientific community. In addition, FDA is holding a public Food Advisory Committee meeting on June 8, 2004, to seek input on what data are needed to fully assess the risk, if any, posed by furan to consumers. FDA will evaluate the available data and will develop an action plan that will outline the agency’s goals and planned activities on the issue of furan in food. The action plan will consider such items as an expanded food survey, studies to identify mechanisms of formation in foods and potential strategies to reduce furan levels, and toxicology studies to address mechanisms of furan toxicity and dose-response. • How does furan form in foods? Exactly how furan forms
