EPA Removes Saccharin from Hazardous Waste Lists

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA; Washington, DC) today published a final rule to remove saccharin (and its salts) from two federal lists for hazardous waste substances.

The ingredient is now clear from hazard substance lists in both the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, both of which are federal legislation intended to facilitate cleanup of hazardous waste.

Saccharin is used as an artificial sweetener in products ranging from juices, soft drinks, and candies to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The substance has dealt with a history of ties to adverse health effects, according to NPR news, who reports that research has even linked its consumption to cancer in rats.

Saccharin’s regained image was influenced by a petition to the EPA from the Calorie Control Council, a non-profit organization representing the low calorie food and beverage industry.