FDA Modernizes Dietary Ingredient Definition, Signaling Stricter Enforcement and Innovation in Food Technology
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is actively working to modernize its definition of dietary ingredients, particularly in response to advancements in food technology such as precision fermentation and cell culture technology. This initiative is part of a broader push by the FDA's Human Foods Program (HFP) to enhance enforcement and update regulations within the food and supplement industries. The agency's placement of dietary supplements under the Office of Food Chemical Safety, Dietary Supplements & Innovation indicates a strategic shift, framing supplements as a 'risk pillar' rather than a niche category. This signals a serious intent for stronger enforcement and modernization across the board. Concurrently, state-level regulations are emerging, creating a fragmented compliance landscape as states address perceived gaps in federal oversight. The FDA is also considering closing the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) loophole, which currently allows companies to self-affirm GRAS status without a...
