U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Kennedy Jr. has announced a significant shift in food safety regulations. On Monday, he directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revise rules that currently allow food companies to self-declare ingredients as safe. This change aims to enhance transparency for consumers and strengthen the FDA’s oversight of food safety.
Kennedy expressed concerns about a loophole that has permitted manufacturers to introduce new ingredients into the food supply without notifying the FDA or the public. He stated that many of these ingredients may lack adequate safety data, which poses risks to public health.
The proposed changes would require companies to formally notify the FDA before introducing new food ingredients. They would also need to provide supporting safety data, making the process more accountable. Currently, while the FDA encourages manufacturers to submit notices under the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) rule, they can also opt to self-affirm safety without FDA approval.
Sara Brenner, the Acting Commissioner of the FDA, emphasized the agency’s commitment to ensuring a safer food supply by reviewing ingredients thoroughly. The FDA maintains a public inventory where all notices and supporting data are accessible for review.
The Consumer Brands Association, which includes major companies like Coca-Cola and Kellogg, welcomed the initiative. They expressed eagerness to work with Kennedy and health experts to support public health and build consumer trust. However, some major food companies, including PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
This move comes as part of a broader agenda by Kennedy, who has pledged to address chronic health issues in the U.S., with support from President Donald Trump. However, his plans for improving food safety and health may clash with potential government budget cuts.
Earlier this year, the FDA had already begun restructuring its food division to improve oversight of food safety and agricultural products. In January, the agency also proposed new requirements for nutrition labels on food packaging.
Overall, this potential revision of safety rules represents a significant step towards ensuring that consumers have access to safer food products and more information about what they are consuming.