How FDA Reviews Food Chemicals: GRAS, Petitions, and What Changes in 2026

· 2 min read · Evidence: Strong How we grade this

Quick Answer

In the US, food chemicals enter the market through two main pathways: food additive petition approval or GRAS determination. After market entry, FDA now runs a structured post-market chemical review program that prioritizes existing substances for reassessment as evidence evolves.

Quick Decision

Bottom line
Mixed
Applies to
US consumers trying to interpret additive safety headlines.
Do this now
Before sharing additive claims online, check whether FDA issued formal rulemaking, a safety review update, or only an early-stage assessment notice.

The Science

Users often ask a fair question: if an additive is controversial, why is it still legal?

Most of the confusion comes from mixing up three different things.

  1. How an ingredient entered the market.
  2. How risk is assessed at real exposure levels.
  3. How and when a regulator reopens older decisions.

Two Entry Pathways in the US

1) Food additive petition pathway

This is the formal approval route many users assume applies to all additives. A petition is reviewed by FDA for a specific intended use, then codified through rulemaking if approved.

2) GRAS pathway

GRAS means generally recognized as safe under intended conditions of use. The evidence basis can involve scientific procedures and expert consensus. Some GRAS determinations are notified to FDA. Others may be self-determined by manufacturers under legal criteria.

This is why “FDA-approved” and “GRAS” are not the same label, even though both can lead to lawful use.

What Changed for Consumers in 2025

FDA has now published a clearer post-market chemical review framework and workplan process. The page was updated on September 18, 2025, and explains how existing chemicals can be prioritized for reassessment.

This matters because consumer questions are often about legacy ingredients, not brand-new ones.

Hazard vs Exposure vs Action Stage

When an additive trend appears in media, identify the stage:

  • hazard signal only
  • exposure and risk evaluation
  • post-market prioritization
  • formal regulatory action

Without this step, users can confuse early signals with final legal outcomes.

Why US and EU Outcomes Can Differ

Different regulators can make different decisions even when reviewing overlapping studies. Legal standards, exposure assumptions, and precaution thresholds differ.

That does not automatically mean one side is ignoring science. It usually means the frameworks and decision rules differ.

Practical Reader Checklist

Before acting on a viral additive claim:

  1. Check if the source is an FDA page or a secondary summary.
  2. Check whether the action is proposed, ongoing, or finalized.
  3. Check if the concern is hazard-only or risk-at-dietary-exposure.
  4. Check if the issue applies to one specific food use or all uses.

This process will keep you from overreacting to headlines and underreacting to real updates.

Educational content only. Not legal or medical advice.

What This Means for You

When evaluating additive news, first ask which pathway the ingredient used and whether the claim concerns hazard, exposure, or a post-market FDA review action.

References

  1. FDA Human Foods Program - Post-market Assessment of Chemicals in Food (updated September 18, 2025).
  2. FDA - Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives and Colors.
  3. FDA - Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).

What Changed

  • 2026-02-27 - Initial publication with current FDA process references.