The Trump Administration has put forth a proposed rule that would require food companies to disclose when they add new substances to their products. This move aims to increase transparency and address safety concerns stemming from ingredients that may not have undergone thorough review.
The proposal seeks to close what is referred to as the "GRAS loophole." Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) is a designation that allows certain food substances to be used without pre-market FDA approval. However, critics argue that this system has led to instances of public illness due to inadequately vetted ingredients.
Thomas Galligan, principal scientist for food additives and supplements at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, highlighted the need to close the GRAS loophole, citing public health concerns. He pointed to a 2022 incident where the company Daily Harvest linked a new substance, tara flour, to hundreds of illnesses. The company had not filed a GRAS notice for tara flour, and the FDA later determined it was not generally recognized as safe.
Sources suggest that the push for greater ingredient disclosure, sometimes framed as the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement, conflicts with an emphasis on deregulation, often associated with the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) agenda. Reports indicate that the Trump Administration previously delayed the release of a definition for ultra-processed foods following pressure from industry leaders.
Ideally, proponents of increased transparency would like to see a pre-market review process for new ingredients, similar to the existing requirement for new color additives. However, enacting such a comprehensive change may face political challenges in the current climate.