Secret Chemicals Found in US Foods
A major CNN investigation found at least 111 substances of unknown safety have been added to U.S. foods, drinks, and packaging — often without public knowledge or adequate FDA oversight. These "secret" chemicals were discovered across everyday grocery items, with many lacking proper long-term health studies. Consumer safety advocates are calling for greater transparency and regulation.
The "secret" chemicals often enter the food supply through a regulatory loophole known as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS). This designation, created in 1958, was intended for common ingredients with a long history of safe use, like vinegar or salt, to bypass lengthy FDA approvals. Over time, the GRAS system has evolved into a pathway where companies can self-determine that a new substance is safe without ever notifying the FDA. An analysis by the Environmental Working Group found that nearly 99% of food chemicals introduced since 2000 have utilized this GRAS pathway, with the FDA being formally asked for permission only 10 times in that period. This self-affirmation process allows a company to convene its own panel of experts to evaluate a substance's safety, a practice criticized for potential conflicts of interest. Because notification to the FDA is voluntary, the agency may not even be aware that a new substance has been introduced into the food supply. A separate but similar program for flavorings is run by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), an industry trade group. Since 1960, a FEMA expert panel has assessed flavor ingredients, declaring thousands of substances as GRAS. This has led to a situation where many flavor substances in use have not been formally approved by the FDA. The Environmental Working Group's investigation identified 49 of these unreviewed chemicals in about 4,000 products listed in the USDA's public food database. These included extracts from sources like aloe vera, hemp, and green coffee beans, which, when concentrated, may present a different safety profile than the original food. Critics argue the system lacks adequate long-term safety testing for many additives, which are often only evaluated in short-term studies. This raises concerns about the potential for chronic health effects that may develop over decades. There have been instances where substances once considered GRAS were later banned or had their status revoked due to health concerns. For example, partially hydrogenated oils (the source of artificial trans fats) were declared no longer safe in 2015, and brominated vegetable oil (BVO) was fully banned in 2024 after being removed from the GRAS list decades earlier. In March 2025, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. instructed the FDA to explore eliminating the self-affirmed pathway and requiring mandatory notifications. However, the FDA has previously stated it lacks the statutory authority to mandate these notifications, suggesting that any significant change may require an act of Congress.
