The agency finally nixed its approval of several cancer-causing food additives after years of advocacy and an Earthjustice lawsuit.

Earthjustice argued that the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act required the FDA to withdraw its approval of seven synthetic chemicals used in many processed foods and beverages.

A coalition of health, consumer and environmental advocacy organizations filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit aimed at forcing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to decide whether to prohibit seven cancer-causing artificial chemicals from use in food as flavors. These chemicals have been used in beverages, baked goods, candy, chewing gum, and ice cream. Earthjustice is representing the petitioners — Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Center for Environmental Health, Center for Food Safety, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Working Group, Natural Resources Defense Council, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice — with Natural Resources Defense Council and Center for Food Safety serving as co-counsel for their respective organizations.

FDA failed to act on petition to prohibit harmful chemicals used to flavor baked goods, candy, ice cream, and other foods