The Environmental Protection Agency has opened a second comment period on the proposed order to revoke residue tolerances for sulfuryl fluoride on food and cancel associated uses. The North American Millers’ Association supports the decision to delay action. According to NAMA Vice President Jim Bair – the proposed action would strain already precious food safety resources with negligible benefits to public health. The proposal came in January of last year as a result of concerns about over exposure to fluoride in some sub-populations – but Bair says EPA has acknowledged that the use of sulfuryl fluoride results in a tiny contribution to fluoride exposure.

NAMA notes sulfuryl fluoride has been the only practical effective alternative to methyl bromide – which has been nearly phased out due to environmental concerns.

Courtesy: NAFB News