The U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, is taking steps to change a program called GRAS, which stands for “Generally Recognized As Safe.” Many people believe the food industry has misused this program for years.
A recent study from 2022 showed that almost all new chemicals used in food or food packaging since 2000 were approved not by the FDA, but by the food and chemical industries themselves. Specifically, food manufacturers asked for FDA approval only ten times during that period.
Kennedy pointed out a significant problem: the current system has allowed manufacturers to introduce new ingredients without notifying the FDA or the public. He believes closing this loophole will give consumers more transparency and confidence in what they eat.
Experts agree that this change is overdue but are skeptical about its effectiveness. Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert, applauded the effort but is concerned about whether the FDA will have the necessary resources to evaluate the safety of food additives properly. She stressed that food companies should not determine the safety of their ingredients on their own.
Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf echoed these concerns. He mentioned that achieving reform would be challenging, considering the powerful food industry lobby has historically opposed such changes. However, he expressed hope that if there’s support for reform, it should be pursued.
On a positive note, Kennedy recently met with the CEOs of major food companies like Kraft Heinz, General Mills, and Pepsi to discuss making food safety more transparent. He emphasized the need for consumers to know what’s in their food and its health effects.
Interestingly, the GRAS program was created in 1958 to allow safe, commonly used ingredients like garlic and oil to be automatically deemed safe without extensive review. But when the FDA made the program voluntary in 1997, it opened the door for many untested chemicals to enter the food supply, some of which have been later found harmful.
For example, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), once used in some beverages, was declared unsafe over 50 years ago, yet it remained in use until recently. Critics have pointed out that the FDA failed to act on evidence linking BVO to health risks for far too long.
Individual states, like California, are now taking action. California has banned several substances, including BVO, due to their serious health risks. Meanwhile, the FDA only recently banned one dye linked to cancer, long after significant evidence against it emerged.
Eliminating the GRAS loophole means that companies would have to formally notify the FDA about new ingredients and provide safety data. However, the food industry argues that the GRAS process is vital for innovation and meeting consumer demand.
While Kennedy and other officials aim to revise the GRAS framework, public health advocates note that some ingredients from the past should be grandfathered in, ensuring they remain available while new substances undergo rigorous safety checks.
Changing food safety regulations could also lead to higher prices for consumers. Conducting thorough safety research requires significant funding and time, which might be passed down to buyers. Understanding the long-term health effects of food additives is complex and requires extensive study and expertise.
Ultimately, bolstering the FDA’s ability to carry out these changes is crucial. Experts believe this can positively impact public health in the long run, ensuring that the food we consume is truly safe.
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