This guide provides links to resources related to the oversight and regulation of food composition, processing, manufacturing, testing, preservation, packaging, distribution and laws for the regulation and enforcement of food safety.
Ingredients and PackagingFDA regulates the safety of substances added to food. We also regulate how most food is processed, packaged, and labeled.
Food AllergensEach year, millions of Americans have allergic reactions to food. Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening.
Food Additives and IngredientsLinks to information and industry guidance documents about food additives and food additive petitions.
Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)"GRAS" is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. Under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act), any substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the substance is otherwise excepted from the definition of a food additive.
Irradiation of Food & PackagingFDA is responsible for regulating the use of irradiation in the treatment of food and food packaging. This authority derives from the 1958 Food Additives Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) where Congress explicitly defined a source of radiation as a food additive (Section 201(s) of the FD&C Act).
Food from Genetically Engineered PlantsFDA regulates the safety of food for humans and animals, including foods produced from genetically engineered (GE) plants. Foods from GE plants must meet the same food safety requirements as foods derived from traditionally bred plants.
