The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently banned seven synthetic substances from use in food and drug products selling in the United States. Six are commonly used as flavor additives in food products, while the seventh has been added despite being phased out by the food industry. Among the seven synthetic flavoring substances no longer allowed to be used in food and drug products is Beta Myrcene.

Abstrax is in full compliance with FDA regulations both before and after this new change in regulations. We proudly offer only all terpenes in our products and will continue to do so. Our industry is a fast-moving one undergoing near constant growth and change, and Abstrax Tech prides itself on remaining at the forefront of regulations and their impact on product development.

The FDA made the decision based on testing results brought forth by numerous petitioning groups. “(The FDA) cannot approve, the use of any food additive that has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals at any dose,” the group said in a news release. Synthetic beta myrcene and the other substances are being removed as a preliminary caution, despite the fact that they are generally used in very small amounts in consumer products.

The FDA does not -- at this time -- believe that even these synthetic substances pose a health risk, despite their move to have them removed from commercial foods. “Although we are amending our food additive regulations for these synthetic flavoring substances in accordance with the Delaney Clause, the FDA’s rigorous scientific analysis has determined that they do not pose a risk to public health under the conditions of their intended use,” the FDA said.

The action is the result of work by petitioning groups including the Center for Environmental Health, the Center for Food Safety, and a number of other groups. In addition to beta myrcene, the six additional substances banned under this new order include synthetically-derived benzophenone, pyridine, methyl acrylate, eugenyl methyl ether (also called methyl eugenol), and pulegone.

Each of these has an alternative that remains approved by the FDA for use as a food flavor additive. None of Abstrax products are affected by this order, and consumers who are careful to purchase products containing only isolates and blends can continue to enjoy their medicine without worry.

As a general advisory, customers should be aware that any products using the newly banned synthetic substances may actually remain on the shelf for up to two years as they are phased out. “The FDA will provide 24 months from the publication of the rule in the Federal Register for companies to identify suitable replacement ingredients and reformulate their food products,” the administration said in its release.