RFK Jr. Seeks End of 'Generally Recognized as Safe' Rule for Food Ingredients

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MAR 11

Above: US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is acknowledged at Pres. Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on March 4, 2025. Image copyright: Kayla Bartkowski/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

story last updated MAR 12

The Spin

Narrative A

The GRAS pathway allows companies to maintain confidentiality around proprietary information and trade secrets, providing a faster, more cost-effective route to market. This system has made the US an attractive destination for food innovation and strengthened its position as a future food leader.

Green Queen

Narrative B

The GRAS system represents a broken food chemical safety framework where 99% of food chemicals are reviewed by chemical companies rather than the FDA. This self-regulation has allowed potentially unsafe ingredients to enter the food supply without proper oversight or public transparency.

NutraIngredients