Demystifying FDA’s Food Ingredient Approval Process

Overview

Dietitians and other health professionals hear questions every day about whether the foods in grocery stores or restaurants are healthy and safe. Processed foods, complex ingredient names, low-calorie sweeteners, and preservatives are just a few examples of ingredient-related questions asked by consumers. The RD is uniquely positioned to hear these questions and respond to them, but must be prepared to do so.

The Calorie Control Council received a great deal of interest from RDs interested in learning more about food additive regulations, following its successful webinar provided in partnership with the Food and Culinary Professionals practice group in 2009. This module provides an in-depth exploration of the regulations for food additives.

Learning Objectives

After completing this self-study learning module, health professionals will be able to:

• List the functions of ingredients in foods.
• Describe the basic components of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) decision-making process for a food additive safety evaluation.
• Describe potential actions FDA may take when the usual process for food additive safety evaluation does not answer safety questions adequately.
• Define “Generally Recognized as Safe,” or GRAS.
• Discuss post-approval actions available to the FDA with respect to food additives and GRAS ingredients.
• Define the safety standard required for all food ingredients, including both food additives and GRAS ingredients.

Demystifying FDAs Food Ingredient Approval