FDA to Reconsider Safety Status of Refined Carbohydrates as Kennedy Signals Potential Crackdown on Ultraprocessed Foods

BY MIRABEL ODETA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is preparing to review a petition that could dramatically reshape how dozens of processed and refined carbohydrates are regulated in the American food supply, according to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. In remarks aired Sunday on 60 Minutes, Kennedy said the agency will take up a formal request to revoke the safety status of ingredients such as corn syrup, sweeteners, and starches unless manufacturers can prove they are safe and not contributing to obesity and other chronic health conditions.

The petition was submitted last August by former FDA Commissioner David Kessler, who is calling for the removal of these ingredients from the “Generally Recognized as Safe” designation, widely known as GRAS. The classification, created by Congress in 1958, allows certain food ingredients to bypass a full government safety review if they are considered safe by qualified experts. Critics argue that this system enables food companies to effectively self-certify the safety of additives without direct FDA oversight.

Kennedy expressed strong support for revisiting the policy, saying the FDA should have examined these concerns years ago. He suggested that the GRAS framework has created a loophole that permits the widespread use of highly processed ingredients without sufficient transparency or independent review. If granted approval from the White House, Kennedy said he intends to push for changes that would tighten oversight and require more rigorous safety demonstrations from manufacturers.

“There is no way for any American to know if a product is safe if it is ultraprocessed,” Kennedy said during the interview, emphasizing what he described as a growing public health crisis linked to diet-related diseases. He has repeatedly argued that highly processed foods and artificial additives contribute to rising rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, particularly among children.

The Consumer Brands Association, which represents major food manufacturers, defended the current regulatory framework in a statement, saying companies already adhere to science-based and risk-based evaluations established by the FDA. The group described the GRAS process as an essential tool that allows innovation and flexibility in meeting consumer demand. It added that it is prepared to work with federal health officials to revise the process if necessary, while maintaining ingredient safety and improving transparency for consumers.

Kessler, a pediatrician who led the FDA from 1990 to 1997, is no stranger to regulatory battles. During his tenure, he attempted to bring tobacco products under the FDA’s authority, an effort that ultimately failed in court but significantly shifted public awareness and scrutiny of the tobacco industry. That campaign is widely credited with helping change national attitudes toward smoking and corporate accountability.

Now, Kessler believes a similar transformation is needed in how Americans view ultraprocessed foods. On the CBS program, he argued that the country must rethink its relationship with heavily manufactured products that dominate grocery store shelves and fast-food menus. “We changed how this country views tobacco,” Kessler said. “We need to change how this country views these ultraprocessed foods.”

Kennedy’s broader campaign targeting processed foods and artificial dyes has become one of the most visible aspects of his tenure. The Trump administration recently introduced updated federal dietary guidelines encouraging Americans to consume more protein and less sugar than previously recommended, while also advising them to limit highly processed foods. The guidance reflects growing scientific consensus linking excessive sugar intake and refined carbohydrates to long-term health problems.

Despite his sharp criticism of ultraprocessed products, Kennedy stopped short of calling for sweeping new regulations. Instead, he framed the issue as one of consumer awareness and informed choice. “I’m not saying that we’re going to regulate ultraprocessed food,” he said. “Our job is to make sure that everybody understands what they’re getting, to have an informed public.”

The FDA’s decision on whether to reconsider the GRAS designation for refined carbohydrates could have significant consequences for food manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. If the agency moves forward with a formal review, companies may be required to provide new scientific evidence supporting the safety of commonly used ingredients. Such a shift could lead to reformulations of popular products, clearer labeling standards, and potentially higher costs for certain processed foods.

Public health advocates view the review as a critical opportunity to address diet-related illnesses that have strained the healthcare system for decades. Industry leaders, however, warn that abrupt regulatory changes could disrupt supply chains and limit consumer choice. As the FDA weighs the petition, the debate underscores a broader national conversation about food safety, corporate responsibility, and the balance between regulation and innovation in America’s food industry.