FDA proposes new food ingredient rule but skips defining ‘ultra-processed’

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its rules for food manufacturers to notify them of ingredients entering the market, but has not defined "ultra-processed foods" as previously promised. This move closes a regulatory loophole, but falls short of the administration's promise to reform food regulations. Marion Nestle, a nutrition expert, questioned the delay in defining ultra-processed foods, calling it "something so simple and obvious".

The proposed rule, submitted to the Federal Register, requires companies to submit all ingredients in foods brought to the market under the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) pathway to the FDA. This closes a loophole that allowed food companies to use ingredients deemed safe through scientific research or because they were already commonly used.

If finalized, the Gras framework will transition from a voluntary program to a mandatory notification system, affecting all ingredients currently on the market using GRAS and new ingredients. The FDA's ability to enforce this mandatory system is uncertain, as it has been ruled the agency has the authority to create a voluntary system but not a mandatory one.

There is no scientific consensus on what "ultra-processed foods" are, making it difficult to determine if they have negative health effects. The FDA has also promised to share additional information on ultra-processed foods at a later date.