The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposed a policy that would provide the federal government with more transparency into the food supply in the United States.

Proposed GRAS and Ultra-Processed Food Rules

HHS put forth a proposed rule mandating that manufacturers, such as Pepsi or Nestle, alert the Food and Drug Administration if they believe an ingredient is “Generally Recognized as Safe,” or GRAS.

The department also announced that it and the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed the first-ever proposed federal definition of ultra-processed foods for final review. Heavily processed foods have long been a subject of concern for years about their long-term safety in consumption, and they have been a focal point of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The proposals follow a series of foodborne illness outbreaks spread across the country this summer, such as the multistate cyclospora outbreak tied to a package of shredded iceberg lettuce, as well as other continuing investigations. There are currently several active foodborne illness probes that the FDA is conducting, including salmonella and listeria outbreaks.

The announcements don’t seem to be directed at the major concerns cited by experts as having led to the food safety problems, but rather at a more general issue of the safety of ingredients in the U.S.

“We believe that these initiatives will actually improve the FDA’s ability to effectively execute on its mission by having greater transparency into the number of ingredients in the food supply,” said acting FDA commissioner Kyle Diamantas on a call with reporters.

Understanding the GRAS Framework and Reform

Unless exempted or approved by the FDA under current legislation, any substance that is intentionally added to a food product must be approved by the FDA before it can be sold in the United States. Substances added intentionally to foods are generally subject to FDA’s premarket approval unless the substance is exempt or already approved by the FDA under current legislation, such as GRAS. If qualified experts have determined an ingredient to be safe for use, it can be classified as GRAS.

The FDA has had a voluntary GRAS notification program in place for many years, but has never created a requirement for manufacturers to notify the FDA that an ingredient is GRAS. According to the proposed rule, manufacturers would need to alert the FDA when they come to that decision.

A senior HHS spokesperson said, “For the last 20 years, food advocates on both sides of the aisle have been saying the most important food reform the United States needs to make is GRAS reform.

The proposal would not institute a premarket approval for GRAS substances and therefore would not prevent companies from placing these on the market. Rather, it would provide FDA with insight into the ingredients in the food supply.

Focus on Ultra-Processed Foods and Public Health

It could gain extra importance as the administration formulates its policy on Ultra-processed foods.

In July 2025, HHS and USDA jointly requested input from researchers, industry, and other stakeholders to define the term ‘ultra-processed foods. The administration hasn’t announced what its definition will be, but it has submitted a definition for review. Ultra-processed foods can have many ingredients, some of which can be added under GRAS.

According to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a press release, “Nearly 60% of the American diet is comprised of ultra-processed foods and more than one in five American children are now overweight.” Transforming our food system is a key part of reversing America’s chronic disease epidemic.

Requirements would not become effective until the GRAS proposal goes through the public comment and federal rulemaking process.

HHS Strengthens Food Ingredient Safety Monitoring

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is taking steps to strengthen federal oversight of food ingredients as concerns about food safety and chemical exposure continue to receive attention. On August 10, 2026, HHS announced actions intended to modernize oversight and establish a stronger scientific foundation for future food policy.

HHS Moves to Strengthen Ingredient Oversight

The latest HHS initiative focuses on improving how food ingredients are evaluated and monitored. A major part of the announcement involves a proposed rule that would require manufacturers to notify the Food and Drug Administration when they determine that a substance added to food qualifies as Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS.