Kennedy Orders FDA to Close GRAS Additive Loophole as UPFs Supply 57% of Adult Calories
Updated
Updated · AAMC · May 13
Kennedy Orders FDA to Close GRAS Additive Loophole as UPFs Supply 57% of Adult Calories
4 articles · Updated · AAMC · May 13
New HHS action targets the GRAS pathway, under which food companies can self-determine ingredient safety and often avoid notifying the FDA; proposed rules to eliminate it are now under administration review.
99% of compounds entered the U.S. food supply through GRAS, according to nutrition experts, leaving regulators unaware of many additives and shifting the burden of proving harm onto public health.
57% of U.S. adults' calories and 67% of children's calories come from ultra-processed foods, which researchers increasingly link to chronic disease through additives, nutrient loss, altered digestion and highly palatable formulations.
A 2024 umbrella review tied ultra-processed foods to 32 health outcomes spanning mortality, cancer, mental, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and metabolic risks, adding pressure for clearer federal definitions and tougher oversight.
30 states are already advancing bills on ultra-processed foods, while California targets school meals by 2035 and San Francisco has sued 12 major manufacturers over alleged addiction and disease harms.
With states now banning additives, will a patchwork of food laws make grocery shopping more confusing for Americans?
As regulations tighten, will food giants fundamentally change their products or just find new loopholes?
Is vilifying 'processing' a distraction from the real issue of sugar, salt, and fat in our diets?
Ending Self-Affirmed GRAS: How Kennedy’s 2026 FDA Reform Could Transform U.S. Food Ingredient Oversight
Overview
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the FDA to close the loophole that lets companies self-affirm the safety of food ingredients without FDA review. This GRAS system has allowed thousands of chemicals into the food supply without robust oversight, creating a major blind spot in food safety. Consumer advocates and public health groups have long raised concerns about this process. The new directive aims to ensure greater transparency and accountability when new food ingredients are introduced, marking a significant step toward stronger federal oversight and better protection for consumers.