Items Tagged with 'generally recognized as safe'

Of the 111 “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) additives identified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 49 are known to be widely used by food manufacturers.

AB 2034 aims to tighten oversight of ingredients used in foods sold in the state that have entered the food supply without a formal FDA safety review through the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) process.

In a recent 60 Minutes interview, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said FDA will address the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) “loophole,” which allows ingredients into the food supply without FDA review, while saying he does not plan to regulate ultra-processed foods.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a chemical preservative used in food that is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” by the National Toxicology Program (NTP). FDA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on the use and safety of BHA.

A Harvard Law report analyzes how federal preemption may impact the emerging patchwork of U.S. state bills on food chemical safety, categorizing the types of common legislation seen in 2025 and discussing possible legal and constitutional challenges.

Posted to the Unified Agenda in September, FDA’s developing proposed rule to tighten Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) oversight has been sent to the White House for review—the final step before publication.

In this bonus episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Kris Sollid, RD of the International Food Information Council (IFIC) about IFIC’s recent consumer surveys measuring Americans' confidence in, and understanding of, the safety of the U.S. food supply, as well as how “MAHA” may be influencing consumer perceptions. 

Americans for Ingredient Transparency (AFIT) is campaigning for federal action to “correct a maze of state-by-state-laws” that restrict or prohibit the use of colorants, additives, and ingredients in foods. AFIT is backed by many of the largest food industry associations and companies, some of which have made voluntary commitments to phase out food dyes or other additives.

A series of U.S. consumer surveys from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) show that consumer confidence in U.S. food safety has hit an all-time low, and explore consumer perceptions of food recalls and FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rule.

The final Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Report was unveiled in a September 9 press conference led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Food safety, consumer, and environmental stakeholder groups criticize the report’s deregulatory approach and lack of enforceable actions.