Chicago, IL — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is pushing the FDA to establish a stricter post-market review program for food chemicals. Giannoulias is calling attention to the current “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) designation, which allows manufacturers to decide the safety of food additives without federal oversight.
According to Giannoulias, the GRAS loophole has led to widespread use of harmful chemicals in food products. These additives have been linked to serious health issues, including cancer, hormonal imbalances, and nervous system damage. Many of these chemicals are still on store shelves without FDA evaluation.
Giannoulias emphasized that holding food companies accountable through a rigorous chemical review process will restore public trust. California recently passed a law banning several GRAS chemicals, set to take effect in 2027. Giannoulias hopes similar measures will take place in Illinois through proposed legislation banning harmful food additives linked to health risks.
