Cancer-Causing Substances in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

To the Editor: In his article “Cancer-Causing Substances in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics” (Nov. 10 issue),* Curran argues that the Federal Court of Appeals should have upheld the Food and Drug Administration's de minimis interpretation of the Delaney clause-the provision in the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act that prohibits the FDA from approving the use of color additives that cause cancer in animals. As the attorney who convinced the court that it should reject arguments very similar to those made by Mr. Curran, I would like to respond. First, the basic question raised by the case was whether the FDA.