FDA to Seek Input on ‘Yoga Mat’ Food Additive’s Safety Probe

Federal regulators are planning to seek public feedback about whether to revoke safety approvals for two additives used by US food manufacturers, including one dubbed the “yoga mat” chemical for its use by the plastics industry.

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary said Wednesday the agency plans to issue a request for information in its next step to reassess the safety of two compounds: azodicarbonamide, used as a whitening agent in many commercial bread products; and butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, a food preservative. Regulators haven’t yet posted details about the request.

Though the FDA has considered the additives safe ...