on t h e proposed legislation, but Congress will have to decide what k i n d of law to write. Whatever bill Congress approves, FDA will try to make it work. However, Larrick said, "I have confidence the committee bill w i l l be in the public interest." • Problems. F D A opposes blanket How Industry and FDA Disagree on Additives approval for all additives now ii\ use. Instead, FDA would require manufacturers to submit safety test data o n all F&ÂWANTS additives now in use that FDA thinks A p p r o v a l b e f o r e ; tssej C F M K D i*imi&j?miJ?m«\$K have been inadequately tested. Rep. 1 ΤΓ££Ξ>3¥'Λ r-li^r-Ι^Π" A i W I *V^/ John D . Dingell (D.-Mich.) wanted safety to be proved to know if some current additives have St^^^l^^Mi^^Ba^S^^^SSE b y maker· not been adequately tested. r Functional value t e s t · Larrick said there are some i n this class. For example, 8-hydroxyquinoline is sometimes used a s a coagulatR e v i e w of a d v e r s e d e ing agent in cottage cheese. But, cisions b v a scientific mm ΐ% uri re.r crrrrrarni ,·£·>:· Ο ί Larrick said, F D A is suspicious of the ΏΘίΕΘΘ·4Η1ΐω ί ^ - Ο Λ Κ Ο * « ac*v25orv n o n e o e t o r e effect of this compound, doesn't think a p p e a l to t h e courts. enough tests have been r u n . Another problem Larrick pointed out to t h e committee is the u s e of ethylene oxide as a fumigant. This is perfectly safe when used on citrus fruits. But, Larrick said, ethylene oxide combines FDA rejects compromise measures as House com- with proteins and FDA doesn't know mittee winds up hearings on food additives bills what happens when this compound is used to fumigate protein-containing r troversial provisions industry opposes. foods. Larrick agreed t o give t r i e co L HIS W E E K t h e House S u b c o m m i t t e e mittee a list of additives now in use • FDA Stands Firm. F D A Commison Health and Science is pondering the problem of food additives. Hearings, sioner George P. Larrick told t h e com- that need more testing. F D A insists that food additives begun nearly a year ago, a r e o v e r . mittee there has been no change in FDA's position (C&EN, Dec. 16, 1957, should have functional value, give Now t h e committee must decide w h a t page 3 7 ) . F D A still thinks all t h e some benefit t o t h e consumer. Induskind of bill to report to t h e House. Chances are the committee will ap- provisions of the Administration-spon- try, generally, opposes this provision. prove a bill. In previous Congresses, sored bill, H.R. 6747, are absolutely However, Larrick told t h e committee, additive bills stayed bottled u p in c o m - necessary in an adequate additives law. functional value is a vital safety factor. Looking ahead to debate in t h e com- "The purposeless addition of toxic mittee. But committee chairman H e p . John Bell Williams (D.-Miss.) is anx- mittee's closed door sessions, chairman chemicals to food, even if the practice ious to get additive legislation moving. Williams asked Larrick for FDA's seems a safe one, is not a sound pure views on compromise measures t h e food policy." If w e c a n establish the Said h e at t h e hearings, "It has "been committee might approve. Some safety of an additive beyond a reason10 years since the Delaney Select able doubt, Larrick said, we should b e Committee made t h e first move toward samples : sure it will benefit the consumer. control of food additives. Everyone • Omit the requirement that a food According t o Larrick, public welfare agrees we need a chemical additives additive must have functional value, law; w e may make it this time. It is but include all other provisions F D A demands some supervision of a manua disservice to the public to p e r m i t the wants. Authorize F D A to report to facturer's reason for using a poisonous present stalemate to continue." Congress several years after t h e n e w chemical additive. T h e play of the But an additives bill faces a r o u g h law has been in operation whether market place should n o t be trie sole road i n the subcommittee's executive leaving out this requirement has h a d criterion. " W e must h a v e a l a w that will cope with t h e ruthless producers sessions and in the deliberations of serious consequences. who will stop at nothing to make a fast the parent committee. Subcommittee • Omit the requirement t h a t F D A dollar. Although they are in the mim e m b e r s revealed at the hearings they approve all new additives before use, nority, they d o have to be controlled." are far apart in their individual "views but keep all other provisions. Again, on w h a t should b e in an additives law; Larrick is worried about w\hat will give F D A a chance to tell Congress at the spirit of compromise seems "to b e happen if an additive l a w does n o t have a later date whether any serious probmissing. And Food and D r u g Admina functional value clause. On a showlems have come up. istration officials, testifying iDefore t h e ing of safety, he said, F D A woxxld have committee for the first time a t t h e final According to Larrick, F D A opposes to set tolerances o n such outlawed adhearings, flatly opposed a n y compro- all the compromises Rep. Williams sug- ditives as formaldehyde in m i l k and mise measures, insisted t h a t a n y ad- gested. In Larrick's opinion, F D A has sulfites in meat. Said Larrick, "This ditives law should contain a l l t h e con- an obligation to give Congress its views would turn back t h e calendar 5 0 years."
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