1776Reporting
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has taken a bold step toward tightening food safety regulations. On Monday evening, he instructed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to close a loophole that allows food companies to declare their ingredients safe without submitting any supporting data. This move is central to his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
Kennedy has long argued that poor dietary habits are fueling chronic diseases across the United States. In a press statement, he emphasized that the change aims to protect consumers by making food contents more transparent, particularly in ultraprocessed products.
“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 U.S. food supply without notification to the FDA or the public,” he said.
His directive targets a provision that lets food manufacturers self-affirm that their ingredients are “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) without oversight.
Currently, the FDA strongly encourages companies to use its GRAS Notification Program, which requires them to submit safety data. However, the system allows businesses to bypass this step and self-certify their ingredients as safe. This means potentially harmful substances could enter the market without a thorough review of their side effects.
Kennedy’s order would require food producers to notify the FDA before introducing new ingredients. They would also have to provide safety data, ensuring greater accountability and transparency in the industry.
On Monday, Kennedy met with top executives from major food corporations, including Kraft-Heinz, General Mills, Kellogg’s, and PepsiCo. While he did not disclose whether they discussed his new proposal, he later posted on X about their “great discussion” on food safety and the need for transparency to safeguard public health, especially for children.
“We will strengthen consumer trust by getting toxins out of our food,” Kennedy said.
According to the press release, Kennedy has tasked the acting FDA commissioner with “exploring potential rulemaking” to update food safety regulations. However, no timeline has been provided for the process.
Meanwhile, the nomination of Dr. Marty Makary as FDA commissioner is progressing. Last week, he testified before the Senate Health Committee, pledging to overhaul food safety measures at the FDA to improve public health.
Makary’s nomination is set for a vote on Thursday by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. If approved, he is expected to advance to the full Senate for confirmation.
Kennedy’s push to reform food regulations underscores his commitment to making American diets safer. Whether the FDA implements his directive remains to be seen, but the debate over food safety and corporate accountability has entered a new chapter.
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