FDA Wants to Know What's in Your Food — But Still Won't Define 'Ultra-Processed'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, known as the FDA, wants to change the rules about how food companies report the ingredients they put in food. The new rule would require companies to tell the FDA about every ingredient they use under a system called 'Generally Recognized As Safe,' or GRAS. But the agency still has not kept its earlier promise to explain what 'ultra-processed foods' actually means.

The GRAS system started back in 1958. It was meant to be a shortcut for ingredients that were already well-known and proven safe, like salt or vinegar. Over time, however, food companies began using it as the main way to add new substances to food — often without telling the FDA at all. That created a loophole, meaning a gap in the rules that let companies avoid government review.

Kyle Diamantas, the acting head of the FDA, said the new rule would fix that problem. 'If finalized, this rule would formally transition the GRAS framework from a voluntary program to a mandatory notification system,' he said. That means food companies would no longer have a choice — they would have to report their ingredients to the FDA.

Food safety experts say the change matters, but they are not sure it goes far enough. Marion Nestle, a nutrition professor at New York University, asked bluntly, 'You have to be kidding. That's all?' She pointed out that even under the new rule, food companies would still hire their own scientists to say an ingredient is safe. She also asked what would happen if the FDA disagreed — could the company still use that ingredient?

Some lawyers who work in food and agriculture law say the rule could face legal challenges. Amaru Sanchez, a food lawyer, called it 'a huge deal for the food industry.' He said it is not clear that the FDA even has the legal power to make notifications mandatory. A federal court ruled in 2021 that the FDA could run a voluntary system, but a mandatory one is a different matter entirely.

Earlier this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who leads the Department of Health and Human Services, promised that the government would define 'ultra-processed foods' by April. Ultra-processed foods are things like packaged snacks, fast food, and sodas that go through many steps before reaching store shelves. Many health experts believe eating too many of these foods can be harmful, but scientists do not yet fully agree on what counts as 'ultra-processed.'

Diamantas said in April that coming up with a definition was 'really hard.' On Monday, he said the government has submitted a proposed definition to help build a stronger base for nutrition research, but more details would come 'at a future time.' That response frustrated some experts who have been waiting for action.

The FDA also said it would release new safety guidance for ready-to-eat, fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. This news comes as the U.S. is dealing with one of the biggest foodborne illness outbreaks in its history. A disease called cyclosporiasis has sickened more than 10,000 people, and a salmonella outbreak tied to eggs and jalapeños led to a major recall of Taylor Farms products in 26 states.

All of these developments are happening while the FDA has faced budget cuts and layoffs under the Trump administration. Nestle warned that reviewing all the new ingredient notifications could put too much pressure on a staff that is already stretched thin. Many Americans are watching closely to see whether the government will take stronger steps to keep the food supply safe.