FDA Reviews Ultraprocessed Ingredients
The FDA announced on February 19 it will review the safety of ultraprocessed ingredients in packaged foods, though experts believe significant new regulation is unlikely in the near term. The review follows mounting pressure from consumers and public health advocates concerned about chemical processing and additives in everyday foods. For home cooks, this signals a continued need to read labels carefully and prioritize whole, minimally processed ingredients.
- The review was prompted by a citizen petition from former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler, which argues that new scientific evidence shows certain refined carbohydrates should no longer be considered "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS). - Ultra-processed foods account for 55% of the average daily calories consumed by people in the U.S. aged one and older, with the figure rising to 61.9% for children and adolescents. - A major 2024 review of nearly 10 million people found direct links between higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and 32 adverse health outcomes, including a roughly 50% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. - The "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) provision dates back to the 1958 Food Additives Amendment and allows substances to be used in food without pre-market review if they have a long history of safe use or scientific consensus. - Concurrently, the FDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are working to establish a formal, uniform definition for "ultra-processed foods," which the United States currently lacks, and have solicited public and expert input. - The petition specifically targets processed refined carbohydrates like corn syrup and maltodextrin, as well as foods using certain emulsifiers, dough conditioners, and modified starches, asking that their GRAS status be revoked. - The effort is a focal point for Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Make America Healthy Again" movement, which has scrutinized the GRAS system.
