Recently-installed US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HSS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has ordered industry regulator the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to improve the oversight of food ingredients.
In January, President Trump’s pick as Health Secretary accused the US food and beverage industry of “poisoning” the American people.
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In a US Senate hearing to consider his nomination to the role he said, if elected, he would “scrutinise the chemical additives in our food supply”.
Now, in office, Kennedy, also known as RFK Jr., has directed the FDA to revise safety rules to help eliminate a provision that allows companies to self-affirm that food ingredients are safe.
He wants the FDA to take steps to explore potential rulemaking to revise its Substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rule and related guidance to eliminate the self-affirmed GRAS precedent.
“This will enhance the FDA’s oversight of ingredients considered to be GRAS and bring transparency to American consumers,” the HSS said in a statement announcing the move.
At present, the FDA encourages manufacturers to submit GRAS notices through the agency’s GRAS Notification Program but industry can self-affirm that the use of a substance is GRAS without notifying the FDA.
Kennedy said: “For far too long, ingredient manufacturers and sponsors have exploited a loophole that has allowed new ingredients and chemicals, often with unknown safety data, to be introduced into the US food supply without notification to the FDA or the public.
“Eliminating this loophole will provide transparency to consumers, help get our nation’s food supply back on track by ensuring that ingredients being introduced into foods are safe, and ultimately Make America Healthy Again.”
He said his instruction will increase transparency for consumers as well as the FDA’s oversight of food ingredients.
Eliminating the self-affirmation process would require companies seeking to introduce new ingredients in foods to publicly notify the FDA of their intended use of such ingredients, along with underlying safety data, before they are introduced in the food supply.
Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner responded: “The FDA is committed to further safeguarding the food supply by ensuring the appropriate review of ingredients and substances that come into contact with food. The FDA will continue to follow our authorities and leverage our resources to protect the health of consumers to ensure that food is a vehicle for wellness.”
Kennedy has promised to tackle the country’s epidemic of chronic illness which he links to a poor diet and unhealthy ingredients.
Just Food has asked food and beverage industry body the Consumer Brands Association for a response to Kennedy’s move, outside of US office hours.
