The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently shared an important list of 111 food additives that have made their way into our food without undergoing formal safety checks by the FDA. This list highlights ingredients that received a “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) status, which means some experts approved them as safe based on their intended use without a thorough review.
Among these additives, 49 are found in a wide range of products. EWG created this list using information from corporate announcements and public databases on GRAS substances.
Understanding GRAS
The GRAS process began in 1958 with a change to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It allows companies to use certain food substances without prior FDA approval if they are deemed safe by qualified experts. While companies must provide some data to back their claims of safety, this evaluation can often happen outside government oversight. This means that companies can start using new ingredients without notifying the FDA, as long as they feel they have enough evidence of safety.
Originally, GRAS was intended to keep commonly used ingredients, like salt and yeast, available without burdensome checks. However, there’s growing concern about how this process could also let potentially unsafe ingredients slip into our food supply.
Recent Concerns
There have been alarming cases linked to GRAS ingredients. In 2022, tara flour, a self-affirmed GRAS ingredient in a ground beef substitute, caused liver injuries in consumers. A subsequent FDA evaluation in 2024 confirmed that tara flour is not actually recognized as safe. This highlights a significant flaw in the GRAS process, stressing the need for better oversight.
Changes on the Horizon
In light of these issues, a new FDA rule is being proposed to strengthen GRAS oversight. Spearheaded by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., this plan could lead to major changes in how GRAS substances are managed:
- Mandatory Notification: Companies would have to inform the FDA about their GRAS determinations, with only a few exceptions.
- Public Inventory: The FDA would create and maintain a publicly accessible list of GRAS notifications and their intended uses.
- Clarified Processes: It would spell out how the FDA decides when a substance is not GRAS.
Secretary Kennedy recently pointed out in a CBS News interview that the government is currently unaware of how many ingredients are actually in American food—estimates range between 4,000 and 10,000.
Broader Implications
This situation brings to light a crucial discussion about food safety in our modern diets. As more people question what goes into their food, they increasingly turn to social media to express concerns. Posts on platforms like Twitter and Instagram showcase user reactions, with many advocating for stricter regulations on food additives.
Listening to consumer voices, the FDA’s forthcoming changes could be a turning point in ensuring that food safety remains a priority. It may not only change how companies approach ingredient use but also restore public trust in the safety of the food they consume.
For more information on food safety regulations and updates, check out the recent announcements from FDA.
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generally recognized as safe,Environmental Working Group
