A former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientist accused the agency of authorizing Zyn nicotine pouches without knowing what the pouches are made of.

The main point: Christy Leppanen has alleged that FDA lacked critical facts about the material of Zyn pouches, decided not to seek additional information from manufacturer Philip Morris International, and nevertheless concluded the material was unlikely to harm consumers.

The details: Others at FDA said the nicotine pouches melt in the mouth. But they do not; users discard the pouches after use. Leppanen pushed her colleagues to consider possible health and environmental risks from the pouch material but was rebuffed.

Why it’s important:

Scientists said the pouches could shed tiny particles during use, which could be absorbed by the user. Research indicates that microplastics accumulate in organs, which could be harmful. The tobacco industry is championing pouches as safe because they do not involve inhaling cigarette smoke.
New nicotine products must be authorized by FDA, which examines whether they are “appropriate for the protection of public health,” weighing potential harms such as young nonsmokers using the products against the potential benefit of helping adult smokers quit. Former FDA officials said that this review should address the pouch material and questioned whether FDA met its legal and regulatory obligations before authorizing Zyn.

The bigger picture:

FDA has declined to say what Zyn pouches are made of. Philip Morris International says they are cellulose (plant fiber) but does not elaborate.
Researchers found that pouches are made of a material similar to cigarette filters (cellulose acetate). Several researchers said that if the pouch is made from cellulose acetate, it could break down into microplastics and contribute to disease.
Researchers have studied microplastics produced by cigarette filters, but nothing has been published on microplastics from nicotine pouches or whether the pouches themselves could harm people.