The food we consume daily plays an undeniable role in our health and well-being. All of us with food allergies and sensitivities know this full well!

However, when it comes to ensuring the safety and quality of the ingredients in our food, there are troubling discrepancies between the U.S. and other nations, particularly in Europe. While the European Union bans or restricts over 1,000 food ingredients, the U.S. has approved more than 10,000. Much of this is due to outdated regulations, corporate influence, and a lack of transparency in the system. This raises an urgent question: are our food safety standards truly protecting consumers, or are they outdated and heavily influenced by industry interests?

The GRAS System: A Conflict of Interest

One of the most concerning aspects of U.S. food regulation is the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) system, which allows food companies to self-assess and label their ingredients as safe without oversight from the FDA. Under this system, companies can determine whether their products are safe to consume, without requiring independent testing or approval. This self-regulation creates a major conflict of interest—food companies are incentivized to prioritize their profits over consumer health.

In practice, this means that many potentially harmful substances can enter the food supply without rigorous scrutiny. Ingredients that might be restricted or outright banned in Europe are still commonplace in the U.S. As a result, American consumers may be unknowingly consuming food laced with chemicals and additives that could pose long-term health risks.

Key Advocates Pushing for Change

Fortunately, there are influential figures calling for reform and working tirelessly to raise awareness about these issues. Vani Hari, also known as “The Food Babe,” has been a vocal advocate for food transparency. Through her platform, she educates the public about harmful ingredients that are still legal in the U.S. and encourages food companies to adopt cleaner, healthier practices.

Calley Means, a former health tech entrepreneur turned advocate for food reform, has also been making waves in the fight against the corporate capture of our food system. He has criticized the FDA’s lax stance on food safety and has pushed for policies that would hold food companies accountable for the health risks their products pose.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his environmental activism, has also weighed in on food safety issues, calling attention to the political and corporate interests that influence the FDA’s decisions. Kennedy has advocated for more stringent regulations and greater transparency within the food industry, believing that cleaner food standards could lead to a healthier population.

The Need for Change: Politics Aside

The call for reform is not about politics; it’s about safeguarding public health. Improving food safety standards is essential to reducing the prevalence of chronic health conditions, many of which are linked to poor diets and exposure to harmful chemicals. By cleaning up the food system, we can make a significant impact on public health, particularly in a country where chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are on the rise.

A major step in this process would be reforming the GRAS system, eliminating the ability for food companies to self-assess the safety of their ingredients. We also need to increase transparency, so consumers can make informed decisions about what they’re putting into their bodies. This means clearer labeling, more independent testing of ingredients, and banning toxic substances that have long been deemed unsafe in other parts of the world.

The FDA and NIH must modernize food safety standards to ensure that the U.S. is not lagging behind other nations in protecting consumer health. With the influence of advocates, there is hope for a cleaner, healthier food system in the future. These changes are crucial for improving chronic health outcomes, increasing transparency, and ultimately empowering consumers to make better, safer choices.

And, we as consumers need to take on the responsibility of always, always, always reading our nutritional labels to educate ourselves on what’s in a product—and make informed decisions from there.

Our Commitment at eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R.

In the meantime, we at eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. will uphold not only the highest of standards for our products, we will also ensure our products are always 100% Autoimmune Protocol compliant—so you always know what’s in and not in our ingredient lists!