The FDA allows food industry self-regulation of thousands of added ingredients under the GRAS designation, resulting in limited government oversight.

A recent study in the American Journal of Public Health reveals the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the food industry to self-regulate safety standards for thousands of added ingredients in the U.S. food supply, without adequate government oversight. The FDA's "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) designation allows food companies to independently determine which substances fall into this category, resulting in many new substances being added to the food supply without any government oversight. The FDA's limited review of food additives and GRAS substances, and its infrequent revocation of GRAS designations, raises concerns about the safety of many ingredients commonly found in ultra-processed foods.

August 08, 2024
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