RFK Jr. directs FDA to close GRAS loophole for food safety

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the recently appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services, has initiated a plan to enhance the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) oversight of food additives by targeting the 'self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) provision. This move aims to eliminate the loophole that allows companies to self-certify the safety of food ingredients without notifying the FDA, potentially introducing unsafe chemicals into the food supply. Kennedy argues that this change will improve transparency and consumer safety, as it would require companies to submit safety data for new ingredients to the FDA before they are used. The directive indicates a significant shift in food safety regulation, particularly impacting industries that rely on novel ingredients, such as alternative protein producers. While the proposed rule could take years to finalize, it signals a commitment to stricter food safety measures. The FDA has expressed its willingness to cooperate with Kennedy's directive to safeguard public health.