Petition
Replace higher-risk food additives with safer alternatives
Rejected
9 signatures
What the petition asks
Require the Food Standards Agency to review approved food additives and require manufacturers to replace additives with credible evidence of potential health risks with safer, equally effective alternatives where these are available and food safety is maintained.
Some approved additives, including sodium nitrite (E250), BHA (E320), BHT (E321), certain artificial food colours, sodium benzoate (E211) and some emulsifiers, have raised health concerns in scientific studies.
Where safer alternatives already exist, they should be used to reduce unnecessary exposure while maintaining food safety and consumer choice.
Where safer alternatives already exist, they should be used to reduce unnecessary exposure while maintaining food safety and consumer choice.
Why it was rejected
It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.
We are not clear what you would like the UK Government or Parliament to do. The FSA already checks additives for safety:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food-additives/food-additives#how-we-makesure-food-additives-are-safe
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/food-additives/food-additives#how-we-makesure-food-additives-are-safe
Timeline
| 6 Jul 2026 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 3 Aug 2026 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
9
Status
Rejected
Rejected
3 Aug 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 31 Aug 2026.