Bills · HR 4958
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4958Health
GRAS Act
INTRO AUG 12· LAST ACTION AUG 12
READING
12MIN
COSPONSORS
5
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it addresses a long-standing concern about the "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) system in food regulation. Currently, companies can declare a substance safe without mandatory FDA review, leading to situations where ingredients with questionable safety profiles have entered the food supply. This bill would close that gap by requiring mandatory FDA notification and review, with a public comment period, for new GRAS substances before they can be used.
If this bill becomes law, consumers could have more confidence that new food ingredients labeled as GRAS have undergone a thorough and transparent safety review by the FDA. If it doesn't pass, the current system, where manufacturers can make independent GRAS determinations with limited FDA oversight and no mandatory public disclosure, would continue, leaving potential gaps in food safety assurance for the public.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
GRAS substances are legally redefined as "food additives," removing their previous exemption from federal review.
This fundamentally changes the legal status of GRAS substances, subjecting them to greater regulatory scrutiny by the FDA.
PROVISION 02
Requires companies to notify the FDA and provide detailed scientific safety data before using any new GRAS substance or an existing GRAS substance for a new purpose.
This establishes a mandatory pre-market notification process for GRAS substances, ending the previous voluntary system.
PROVISION 03
Mandates the FDA to review submitted GRAS notifications and issue a written statement of "no objection" before a substance can be used, with a specified timeline of 180 days (plus a potential 90-day extension).
This creates a formal FDA gatekeeping role for GRAS substances, ensuring agency review before market entry.
PROVISION 04
Requires the FDA to make GRAS notifications, supporting safety data, and its final statements publicly available, and allows for a public comment period of at least 60 days.
This increases transparency in the GRAS determination process, allowing public and scientific scrutiny.
PROVISION 05
Authorizes necessary funding for the FDA to carry out these new review and reassessment responsibilities.
This aims to ensure the FDA has the resources to effectively implement the new regulatory requirements.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 5
D· New Jersey
YRS IN OFFICE
39
BILLS LED
22
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 5 REP 0 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSAUG 12
Introduced in House
AUG 12
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4958
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedAug 12, 2025
Last actionAug 12, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED AUG 12, 2025
House BillHR 4958Health
GRAS Act
INTRODUCED AUG 12, 2025· LAST ACTION AUG 12, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
12 min
COSPONSORS
5
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
