New York State Mandates Disclosure of Self-Affirmed GRAS Ingredients, Aiming to Enhance Food Safety
New York State has passed a bill requiring companies to disclose ingredients they have self-affirmed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) to state regulators, a move that aligns with a federal initiative led by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The legislation, which has been approved by both the state Senate and Assembly, mandates that large companies report any GRAS ingredients not disclosed to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This initiative aims to close what some policymakers describe as a 'loophole' in food safety regulation, allowing companies to sell new ingredients without formal FDA review. The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Brian Kavanagh, seeks to protect consumers from potentially harmful chemicals in food products. It exempts small businesses with fewer than 100 employees and requires the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets to create a public database of GRAS ingredients used in food and drink products within the state. 
