Trump administration proposes rule to force food makers to alert FDA of GRAS additives
The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a proposed regulation that would require food manufacturers to notify the FDA whenever they deem a substance Generally Recognized as Safe.
The HHS has put forward a rule that would obligate food producers to inform the FDA whenever they determine an additive is Generally Recognized as Safe, a status that currently allows self-certification without notification. The agency plans to maintain a publicly accessible database of these GRAS notices, giving regulators, researchers and consumers insight into new ingredients entering the market. Proponents argue the existing system lets large manufacturers bypass review, citing the case of tara flour, which entered the food supply unnoticed and was later linked to hundreds of illnesses.
By requiring disclosure, the proposal seeks to enhance consumer confidence and ensure safety without stifling product development. The move is presented as a step toward restoring accountability in a system that has drifted from its original intent, with support from President Trump and HHS Secretary Kennedy.
Why it matters
It would give consumers and regulators visibility into new food additives, improving safety and transparency.
In this story
