US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is working to eliminate the FDA’s GRAS program, which critics say has allowed food manufacturers to introduce untested additives into the US food supply for decades.
The program, created in 1958, was meant to be applied to safe, commonly used ingredients like garlic and baking soda. However, an overwhelmed and underfunded FDA made it voluntary in 1997, allowing industry to claim a substance was GRAS without providing safety data to the agency.
Kennedy claims this has led to many harmful additives entering the food supply, including brominated vegetable oil, which was declared no longer GRAS in 1970 but wasn’t officially banned until July 2024. California and several other states have already banned similar substances due to links to serious health concerns.
Eliminating the GRAS loophole would require companies to publicly notify the FDA of their intended use of new ingredients, along with underlying safety data. However, industry representatives argue that the process plays a crucial role in innovation and consumer demand.
Kennedy’s plan aims to increase transparency and ensure safety in food additives. Critics, however, warn that removing existing GRAS chemicals from the market could cause disruptions and increase costs for consumers. Experts emphasize the need for rigorous research and independent evaluation of food additives before they’re approved for human consumption.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/rfk-jr-wants-eliminate-fda-191604008.html