RFK Jr. to Propose Closing Food Ingredient Loophole

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is set to finalize a rule that would tighten oversight of new food and dietary‑supplement ingredients, a move that has drawn the attention of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The regulation, slated for release later this month, requires manufacturers to submit a pre‑market safety review for any ingredient not previously authorized, ending a long‑standing practice that permits companies to “self‑attest” the safety of novel substances without FDA evaluation.

Kennedy, who has pledged to overhaul the nation’s food system, is expected to introduce legislation that closes the self‑attestation loophole, arguing that the current framework leaves consumers vulnerable to untested additives. Industry groups have warned that the rule could increase compliance costs and slow product innovation, while consumer‑advocacy organizations applaud the effort as a step toward greater transparency and public health protection. The FDA’s forthcoming guidance, combined with potential congressional action, could reshape how food and supplement manufacturers bring new ingredients to market, reinforcing the agency’s authority to ensure safety before products reach shelves.