FOOD SAFETY: FDA Should Strengthen Its Oversight of Food Ingredients

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety of most of the U.S. food supply, is not required to review substances, such as spices and preservatives, added to food that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. Currently, companies may determine a substance is GRAS without FDA's approval or knowledge. GAO was asked to review the extent to which the FDA's oversight of new GRAS determinations helps ensure the safety of these substances. Its investigation found that FDA's oversight process does not help ensure the safety of all new GRAS determinations.