Safety of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substances

Environmental Health Perspectives publishes a comment on the US’ regulatory process of food additives

U.S.: Discordance on self-affirmed GRAS substances

Lack of information for self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substances has been highlighted by scientists of the public interest group PEW Charitable Trust in the US. Now the industry reacts by making available a database with manufacturers self-determined GRAS substances, used in food contact materials and/or food. Critics maintain that this effort is insufficient, and that a proper safety assessment needs to be carried out by the regulator instead.