In a move aimed at enhancing food safety and public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has introduced the Chemical Contaminants Transparency Tool (CCT Tool) — a new online, searchable database designed to help evaluate potential health risks from chemical contaminants in food.

The CCT Tool consolidates data on contaminant levels into a single, easy-to-access platform. It allows users to search by contaminant name, food commodity, level type (such as action level or guidance level), and specific safety thresholds. The database also provides references to official guidelines, including the Code of Federal Regulations and FDA Guidance for Industry.

The launch of this tool is part of the FDA’s broader initiative to modernize food chemical safety efforts and improve transparency for consumers, industry stakeholders, and public health officials.

“Ideally, there would be no contaminants in our food supply, but chemical contaminants may occur in food when they are present in the growing, storage, or processing environments,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H. in an official statement.

The FDA sets tolerances, action levels, and guidance levels for contaminants to protect public health. While these levels indicate safety thresholds, they are not permissions for contamination but rather tools used by the agency to minimize or prevent chemical hazards in food.

The new CCT Tool covers a wide range of chemical substances known to potentially pose health risks and allows users to filter by contaminant type.

Dr. Brenner also emphasized the importance of maintaining a diverse diet. “Because many of the most nutritious foods can also contain contaminants, consumers should eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within the main food groups of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy, and protein to help protect from possible exposure effects,” she added.

The launch of this tool represents a significant step in improving food safety transparency and empowering consumers and industry stakeholders with easily accessible information to make informed decisions.