The FDA Gets a Scolding on Food Safety From a Watchdog
The federal government's own watchdog says the FDA isn't doing enough to make sure the ingredients in your food are actually safe.
By Foodie Pundit Newsroom - Published - Updated - Section: Policy Regulation
Key points
- A federal watchdog says the FDA's system for ensuring new food ingredients are safe has serious weaknesses.
- The "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) rule lets companies decide for themselves if an ingredient is safe, without mandatory FDA approval.
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found the FDA rarely challenges companies' safety claims and lacks a systematic way to review ingredients already on the market.
- The GAO recommends that the FDA require companies to submit all GRAS determinations and that the agency should periodically review previously cleared ingredients.
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