Lawler Introduces Food Safety Bill to Strengthen Oversight of GRAS Designations

Washington, D.C. - 2/3/26… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) introduced the GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act, legislation to restore federal oversight of food ingredients that manufacturers unilaterally deemed "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) decades ago, often without ever notifying the Food and Drug Administration.

The legislation establishes an interagency GRAS Review Board, led by the Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA, with participation from the USDA and the EPA, to conduct scientific reviews of these legacy determinations.

Under current law, companies have been able to self-determine that certain substances are GRAS without FDA review or notification. The GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act focuses narrowly on pre-2000 GRAS determinations that were never submitted to the FDA, ensuring they meet modern scientific standards.

"The GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act restores common-sense federal oversight without punishing responsible manufacturers. It's a targeted fix that protects consumers and strengthens confidence in our food system. Responsible manufacturers already do the right thing. This bill ensures everyone plays by the same rules," said Congressman Lawler.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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