What is the “GRAS” list?

Shortly after passage of the 1958 amendment to the Food and Drug Act, the Food & Drug Administration (“FDA”) clarified the regulatory status of a multitude of food substances that were used in food prior to 1958 and amended its regulations to include a list of food substances that, when used for the purposes indicated and in accordance with current good manufacturing practice, are GRAS—that is Generally Recognized as Safe. This list has been incorporated into the FDA’s regulations. Section 182 of Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations is commonly referred to as “the GRAS list.” Substances on this list are generally recognized among experts as having been adequately shown through scientific procedures or through experience based on common use in food to be safe under the conditions of their intended use.