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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to review the safety status of dozens of processed refined carbohydrates, including corn syrup and other sweeteners, following a petition aimed at removing them from the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) list. U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. confirmed in a televised interview that the agency will act on a request filed by former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler.
The petition, submitted last August, calls on the FDA to revoke the GRAS classification for corn syrup and multiple refined starches and sweeteners commonly used in ultraprocessed foods. Under the GRAS framework, established by Congress in 1958, food companies can self-certify ingredients as safe without undergoing a full FDA safety review. Critics argue this system creates a regulatory loophole that limits transparency and oversight in the U.S. food supply.
Kennedy stated that the FDA should have scrutinized these ingredients more closely years ago and signaled his intention to reform the GRAS process, pending White House approval. He emphasized that many Americans are unaware of the potential health risks associated with ultraprocessed foods, linking them to rising obesity rates and chronic health conditions. However, he stopped short of calling for immediate new regulations, noting that the administration’s primary goal is to improve consumer awareness and transparency.
The Consumer Brands Association defended the current system, stating that food manufacturers follow the FDA’s science-based risk evaluation standards. The group expressed willingness to collaborate with HHS and the FDA if changes to the GRAS process are proposed.
Dr. Kessler, who led the FDA from 1990 to 1997 and previously sought stronger tobacco regulation, argues that the U.S. must rethink its approach to highly processed foods. Meanwhile, the Trump administration recently introduced updated dietary guidelines encouraging Americans to reduce sugar intake, consume more protein, and limit ultraprocessed food consumption.
