How companies can sneak new chemicals past the FDA — and into our food and supplements

NPR | By Sarah Gonzalez

Published June 11, 2026 at 3:15 PM CDT

There's a sneaky way companies add new chemicals in our food, and it is there by design, and totally legal.

Tags

All Things Considered

Sarah Gonzalez

Sarah Gonzalez is a host and reporter with Planet Money, NPR's award-winning podcast that finds creative, entertaining ways to make sense of the big, complicated forces that move our economy. She joined the team in April 2018.

Advice on going back to work after parental leave

Andee Tagle

Heading back to work after parental leave? Life Kit has some advice on navigating schedules, managing expectations and finding support during a major life transition.
Why this moment matters so much to New York Knicks fans

Ailsa Chang, Jeffrey Pierre, Tinbete Ermyas

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Trent Simonian, creator of the SideTalk social media account, about Knicks fandom as they approach Game 5 of the NBA Finals, which, if they win, would make them champs.
The Teddy Bear Doctor treats stuffies in need of care

Hosts, Gabriel J. Sánchez, Sarah Handel

Ruth Hasman's home in British Columbia is known as the teddy bear hospital -- a place where stuffies in need of repair receive the TLC they need.
LA mayoral candidate says she's frustrated with current mayor's 'lack of urgency'

Ailsa Chang, Linah Mohammad, Justine Kenin

The votes have been counted, and the mayoral incumbent in Los Angeles -- Karen Bass -- will face fellow Democrat Nithya Raman. The City Council member speaks with NPR's Ailsa Chang.
What is FISA's Section 702?

Ailsa Chang, Vincent Acovino, Patrick Jarenwattananon

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Elizabeth Goitein of the Brennan Center for Justice, an advocate for reforming the controversial surveillance law known as FISA 702.