FDA to review crackdown on ultra-processed foods after ex-commissioner's bold petition

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to review a petition calling for stricter controls on ultra-processed foods. Former FDA commissioner David Kessler has pushed for the removal of certain ingredients currently classified as safe. His campaign draws parallels with his anti-tobacco efforts in the 1990s.

Kessler's petition demands the FDA revoke the 'Generally Recognised As Safe' (GRAS) status for ingredients like refined sweeteners, flours, starches, and additives. He claims these components cause metabolic harm and should no longer be treated as safe without fresh proof. The government has confirmed it will assess the evidence using what it calls 'gold-standard science'.

The petition also calls for these ingredients to be removed from the market unless manufacturers can prove their safety. Meanwhile, US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has stated the FDA will respond to Kessler's request. Separately, Congress is discussing a bill to ban ultra-processed foods from being advertised to children and introduce warning labels on packaging.

Officials are also working on an official definition of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). No figures exist on how many such ingredients currently hold GRAS status or which companies rely on them most.

The FDA's review could lead to tighter regulations on ultra-processed foods. If successful, Kessler's petition may force manufacturers to prove their ingredients are safe before they remain on shelves. The outcome could also influence marketing rules and labelling for these products.