Generally Recommended as Safe

Fumaric acid is not permitted under UK or EU legislation for direct use in soft drinks, although it is permitted under Annex IV of Directive 95/2/EC (modified by directive 98/72/EC), with strict limits, in instant powders for fruit-, tea- or herbal-based drinks. Fumaric acid finds wide use in other countries as an acidulant, notably in the US market, where it has GRAS ( Generally Recommended As Safe ) status. Fumaric acid is currently manufactured in the United States via the acid-catalysed isomerisation of maleic acid. In terms of equivalent palate acidity it can be used at lower levels than citiic acid and typical replacement is suggested at two parts fumaric acid per three parts citric acid in water, sugar water and carbonated sugar water. 

Department of Health and Human Services. 21 CFR Part 333. Over-the-counter drugs generally recommended as safe, effective, and not misbranded. Fed Reg 43 1210-1248, 1978. 

FDA as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Not recommended for consumption in large amounts due to ambiguous research results, especially regarding die possible neurotoxicity and neuroendocrine effects. Very few case reports of MSG-induced angioedema or urticaria have appeared in die literature. 

Permitted food additives are listed in the CFR Title 21 Part 170-180, substances generally recognised as safe in Part 182-184. Because it is not so easy to find a given substance in the CFR the Food Chemical News Guide [36] is recommended. It lists all substances in alphabetical order. 

Precautions A severe eye and moderate skin irritant. GRAS (generally recognized as safe). A common air contaminant. It is considered the most concentrated and cheapest form of commercial calcium supplement. It is best absorbed when taken with food. The recommended daily allowance is about 800 mg. 

Precautions Lack of this vitamin results in poor growth, mental abnormalities, and abnormalities of the craniofacial area and urogenital system. FDA states GRAS (generally recognized as safe) when used at moderate levels to accomplish the intended effect. The recommended adult dose is 5000 units. 

Although many are generally regarded as safe, essential oils are generally not recommended for internal use. However, their much diluted forms (e.g., hydrosols) obtained during oil distillation as a by-product may be taken orally. 

Saw palmetto is generally regarded as safe with high long-term tolerability. " One case, however, was recently reported in which saw palmetto appeared to be responsible for development of recurrent pancreatitis in a 55-year-old male." A study to investigate its effect on liver functions in rat showed that saw palmetto did not result in any toxicity at 5 x the maximum recommended human doses. The pharmacology and therapeutic signifi-... 

In general, the acute toxicity of halogenated flame retardants is quite low. Tables 11—14 contain acute toxicity information from various manufacturers material safety data sheets (MSDS) for some of the flame retardants and intermediates Hsted in the previous tables. The latest MSDS should always be requested from the suppHer in order to be assured of having up-to-date information about the toxicity of the products as well as recommendations regarding safe handling. 

A recent report concerning the possible health hazards of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP), both used as plasticisers in flexible vinyl products has concluded that they are safe. This article supplies details of the general recommendations contained in the report. These emphasise the value of the plasticisers and strongly reinforce the need to be sure that regulatory decisions should be made based on sound science in a way that realistically assesses the likely exposure potential of adults and children. 

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