RFK Jr directs FDA to revise ‘self-affirm’ rule to improve food ingredient safety
GuardianMAR 6
RFK Jr. Seeks End of 'Generally Recognized as Safe' Rule for Food Ingredients
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
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.
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.