HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directs FDA to tighten food ingredient safety rules

By lauraharris // 2025-03-17

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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the FDA to revise its safety regulations, removing the provision that allows companies to self-certify the safety of food ingredients under the "substances generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) rule.
The proposed changes mandate that companies submit detailed safety data and intended use notifications to the FDA, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the food industry. The FDA will maintain a public inventory of all notices and supporting data.
Kennedy emphasized that the move aims to close a loophole that has allowed potentially unsafe ingredients into the food supply without FDA notification. The directive seeks to enhance consumer trust and improve public health by ensuring food ingredients are thoroughly vetted.
The directive has been welcomed by some food industry partners, such as the Consumer Brands Association, which represents major companies like Coca-Cola and WK Kellogg. However, other major companies like PepsiCo and General Mills have yet to comment.
The directive aligns with recent FDA initiatives, such as front-of-package nutrition labeling and restructuring its food division, signaling a more proactive approach to food safety regulation and oversight. Acting FDA Commissioner Sara Brenner affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the food supply.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to revise its safety regulations, eliminating a provision that allows companies to self-affirm the safety of food ingredients. Under the current system, manufacturers can use a rule known as "substances generally recognized as safe" (GRASS) to self-certify that new ingredients are safe for consumption without notifying the FDA. The FDA strongly encourages companies to submit safety notices, but self-affirmation remains a legal pathway. (Related: RFK Jr. did NOT betray us – he's fighting for us! (And if you think otherwise, you’re falling for the trap).) Kennedy has directed the FDA to tighten its food safety regulation to increase FDA oversight and ensure greater accountability in the food industry. The proposed changes would mandate that companies submit detailed safety data and intended use notifications to the FDA, which maintains a public inventory of all notices, supporting data and response letters. "For far too long, ingredient manufacturers and sponsors have exploited a loophole that has allowed new ingredients and chemicals, often with unknown safety data, to be introduced into the U.S. food supply without notification to the FDA or the public," Kennedy said. "Eliminating this loophole will provide transparency to consumers, help get our nation's food supply back on track by ensuring that ingredients being introduced into foods are safe and ultimately Make America Healthy Again." Moreover, the directive, which came as part of his broader agenda to address the nation's chronic illness epidemic, would require companies to publicly notify the FDA of new ingredients and provide supporting safety data before introducing them into the food supply.

Most food industry partners welcome RFK Jr.'s new FDA directive

The announcement has been welcomed by some food industry partners. For instance, the Consumer Brands Association, which represents companies such as Coca-Cola and WK Kellogg, said that they "look forward to continued engagement with the secretary and the qualified experts within HHS to support public health, build consumer trust and promote consumer choice." Meanwhile, major companies such as PepsiCo, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Hershey, Mondelez and Kellanova have yet to comment on the directive. It also aligns with recent efforts by the FDA to bolster oversight of the food supply. Earlier this year, the agency proposed requiring food companies to display nutrition labels on the front of packaging, a measure aimed at helping consumers make healthier choices. The FDA has also been restructuring its food division under former Commissioner Robert Califf to enhance oversight of food and agricultural products. Kennedy's directive builds on these efforts, signaling a more proactive approach to food safety regulation. "The FDA is committed to further safeguarding the food supply by ensuring the appropriate review of ingredients and substances that come into contact with food," FDA Acting Commissioner Sara Brenner posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, shortly after the announcement. Watch this video about RFK Jr. promising to address the existential threat of chronic disease. This video is from the JD Rucker channel on Brighteon.com.

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Most food industry partners welcome RFK Jr.'s new FDA directive

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