Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently taken office as the US Secretary of Health and Human Services. He is already making headlines with his push for stricter food safety regulations.
In a Senate hearing earlier this year, Kennedy accused the food and beverage industry of harming Americans by allowing harmful ingredients in their products. He vowed to take action against these practices once he was confirmed.
Now that he is in charge, Kennedy has directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve how it oversees food ingredients. His main focus is to change the rules around “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) substances.
Currently, companies can claim ingredients are safe without informing the FDA, thanks to a loophole. Kennedy wants to close this gap. He believes that requiring companies to notify the FDA about new ingredients will improve transparency and safety in the food supply.
According to Kennedy, “For too long, manufacturers have exploited a loophole that allowed unsafe ingredients into our food.” By changing this policy, he hopes to give consumers better information about what is in their food.
Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner has supported this initiative, stating that the FDA is dedicated to protecting the food supply. She confirmed that the agency will continue to review ingredients carefully to ensure consumer safety.
Kennedy also aims to address the growing issue of chronic illnesses, which he links to poor diets and unhealthy ingredients. His call for reform comes at a time when many Americans are becoming more aware of what they eat and its impact on health.
As Kennedy steps into this role, all eyes are on the FDA to see how these changes will unfold and what it means for food safety in the US.
Check out this related article: Spring is Here: Why Asparagus Should Be Your Go-To Food This Season – West Hawaii Today
Source linkPan-industry