FDA Proposes Major GRAS Reform: What It Could Mean For Your Business
October 29 , 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
FDA Proposes Major GRAS Reform: What It Could Mean For Your Business
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) August 2026 proposed rule would replace the voluntary Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notification framework with mandatory requirements. The change would affect how companies establish and document the safety of food ingredients in the U.S. Open questions about scope, implementation, enforcement and FDA resources create compliance challenges for ingredient suppliers, food and beverage manufacturers, and food-contact material producers.
Hosted by Food Safety Magazine, this webinar will provide a practical overview of the FDA’s proposal, explain the changes it would bring and address the questions still unresolved as the rulemaking process continues.
Attendees will gain insight into what the FDA proposes to change and what stays the same, understand the implications for self-GRAS conclusions, Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) GRAS and food-contact substances, and learn about related congressional GRAS reform efforts and practical steps to prepare now.
Register NowSpeakers
Kevin C. Kenny, J.D., LLM
Senior Advisor, FoodChain ID
Kevin C. Kenny is a regulatory attorney and food regulatory consultant with more than 30 years of experience in food regulation, food-contact materials, product stewardship, and regulatory compliance. His work focuses on US and international food and food-contact regulation, including GRAS determinations, GRAS Notifications, FDA pre-market requirements and global regulatory strategy. He has advised companies and worked with regulatory authorities in more than 50 countries and has extensive experience preparing and reviewing GRAS determinations and FDA submissions. Kevin previously co-founded Decernis LLC, has worked with FoodChain ID since 2019 and is also CEO and Founder of Invenimus Training Institute.
Tom Jonaitis
Toxicology and Regulatory Advisor, Food Contaminants
FoodChain ID
Tom Jonaitis is a board-certified toxicologist (DABT) and regulator consultant with more than 20 years of experience in toxicology, safety assessment, and regulatory affairs. His work focuses on the safety and regulatory evaluation of food ingredients and additives, including GRAS determinations, FDA pre-market requirements, novel ingredients, and Canadian food and natural health product regulations. He regularly supports companies with toxicological risk assessment, exposure evaluation, regulatory strategy, and preparation of scientific dossiers for North American markets.