GRASmerkinnän

GRASmerkinnän, meaning "GRAS marking" in Finnish, refers to the regulatory status of substances that have been Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This designation is a crucial aspect of food safety regulation in the U.S. Substances that achieve GRAS status are exempt from the pre-market approval requirements that apply to food additives. Instead, their safety is established based on a history of common use in food prior to 1958 or through scientific procedures.

The GRAS process allows for a more streamlined approach to introducing safe ingredients into the food supply. Manufacturers can self-affirm GRAS status for a substance if they have sufficient scientific evidence and expert consensus to support its safety under intended conditions of use. Alternatively, they can petition the FDA for a formal GRAS notification, which involves submitting detailed scientific data for FDA review. The FDA then evaluates the submission to determine if there is a broad consensus among qualified experts that the substance is safe. The GRAS designation is not permanent and can be revoked if new scientific evidence emerges indicating a safety concern. This system aims to ensure public health while facilitating innovation in the food industry.