Is Your Food Safe? Major FDA Change Could End Chemical Loophole

The U.S. government is finally taking steps to tighten regulations on food additives. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is directing the FDA to close a loophole that has allowed food companies to introduce chemicals into the American diet without government oversight.

Key Facts:

GRAS Loophole: Since 1958, food companies have been allowed to self-certify certain additives as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) without FDA approval.
Kennedy’s Directive: Secretary Kennedy is ordering the FDA to eliminate self-affirmed GRAS determinations, increasing regulatory oversight.
Health Concerns: The U.S. has over 10,000 food chemicals, while the EU limits them to about 400. Some, like titanium dioxide and potassium bromate, are banned in Europe but remain in American food.
Industry Impact: Companies will now be required to notify the FDA and submit safety data before introducing new ingredients.
Legislative Push: HHS plans to work with Congress to close the GRAS loophole through new legislation.

The Rest of The Story:

For decades, food manufacturers in the U.S. have been allowed to introduce new chemicals into the food supply with little to no government oversight.

The GRAS designation, originally intended for common ingredients like salt and vinegar, has been stretched to cover thousands of synthetic additives.

Unlike Europe, where food chemicals must be proven safe before approval, the U.S. assumes they are safe until proven otherwise—often after years of public exposure.

Secretary Kennedy is now directing the FDA to eliminate self-affirmed GRAS determinations, which have allowed companies to bypass federal review.

His plan includes increased post-market assessments to identify potentially harmful chemicals already in use.

The move aims to restore transparency and ensure that American food safety standards align more closely with those of other developed nations.

I am directing the FDA commissioner to start the process of changing the rules to eliminate the self-affirmed GRAS pathway for new ingredients. I am also calling on the @US_FDA and @NIH continue to conduct and improve post-market assessments of GRAS chemicals currently in our… pic.twitter.com/BWvunk6lpw

— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) March 13, 2025

Commentary:

For too long, the U.S. government has turned a blind eye to what food manufacturers are putting into our food.

This is the same government that, under former President Biden, tried to regulate our gas stoves, the types of vehicles we drive, and even the appliances in our homes—yet it has done almost nothing to regulate the chemicals we consume daily.

Americans have been unknowingly subjected to a mass experiment, eating foods loaded with additives banned in other countries.

Titanium dioxide, potassium bromate, and artificial dyes linked to health risks remain on American shelves simply because companies have been allowed to self-certify their safety.

Meanwhile, Europe and Japan have chosen a more cautious approach, banning or restricting these substances.

Kennedy’s directive is a much-needed step in the right direction.

The food industry has operated under this system for decades. While major corporations are coming to the table for initial talks, it will likely push back against massive changes in oversight in the form of lobbying.

.@SecKennedy met with @consumerbrands CEOs this week on advancing food safety and radical transparency to protect the health of all Americans, especially our children. pic.twitter.com/XI5tDZEYkh

— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) March 12, 2025

Despite corporate pushback, the reality is that Americans are demanding change. Parents don’t want their children eating chemicals linked to cancer and behavioral issues.

Transparency isn’t just a regulatory burden—it’s a public health necessity.

If the FDA follows through with these changes and Congress backs legislative action, we could finally see a shift toward making American food safer.

The Bottom Line:

The U.S. is finally taking action to close a major loophole that has allowed unregulated chemicals into the food supply.

If Kennedy’s initiative succeeds, food companies will no longer be able to introduce new additives without FDA oversight.

While industry pushback is expected, this move aligns America with other developed nations in prioritizing food safety over corporate convenience.