GMA Proposes New Food Safety Initiative

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) announced this week a set of new initiatives to asses the safety of additives used in food and beverage products.

The five-step plan aims to improve the labeling for "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) products. According to the Pew Charitable Trust, there are approximately 10,000 additives that companies are allowed to include in their food products. These products include flavoring additives, preservatives, dyes, etc. However, just over 40% of them are considered to be GRAS.

So, why is the industry taking action now to improve labeling requirements for GRAS products? The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has been pressured for the past few years to rework the GRAS system. It wasn't until recently that the FDA and GMA came together to create a new plan for tackling this issue. Critics say that many GRAS ingredients fail to meet the safety standards for additives. If an ingredient fails one category of safety standards, it shouldn't pass the other -- at least that's the methodology behind the new system. It wasn't until recently that the FDA and GMA came together to create a new plan for tackling this issue.

Under this new labeling initiative, the GMA will provide the FDA will access to an extensive database of ingredients used in the production of food. This database will include assessments and tests conducted on GRAS ingredients, which should help to guide the FDA in making better informed decisions regarding food safety and recalls.

The new initiative will also introduce new education and training resources for scientists who asses GRAS ingredients. One of the reasons why there's so much criticism over GRAS is because of the lack of training. By educating workers who assess these ingredients, the database will be more accurate and thorough.

"Our industry is committed to providing consumers with safe, quality, affordable and innovative products. In the spirit of that ongoing commitment, we are launching a modernization initiative that will improve the process and increase transparency for making Generally Recognized As Safe determinations of ingredients added to food," said Leon Bruner, chief science officer for GMA.

There's still no official word yet on when the new GRAS initiative will be implemented. Being that it involves the food industry, though, it may take several years at least.

Visit http://www.gmaonline.org/news-events/newsroom/grocery-manufacturer-association-announces-industry-initiative-on-ingredien/ for more information on the initiative.

Do you agree with the GMA's plan? Let us know in the comments section below!