‘.Broken+GRAS: How a Food Prize Competition Revealed a Secret GRAS Ingredient’
In the realm of food safety, the acronym GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) holds significant weight. It signifies that an ingredient has been deemed safe for human consumption by qualified experts. However, a recent food prize competition unearthed a secret GRAS ingredient that shattered the industry’s perception of transparency. At the inaugural Food Entrepreneur Prize competition, a team submitted a nutritional bar that caught the attention of the judges. The bar contained a proprietary protein powder that had been declared GRAS by the manufacturer. Curious about the powder’s composition, the judges initiated an independent analysis. To their astonishment, the analysis revealed that the powder contained a synthetic compound that had not been previously disclosed. This compound, known as “XYZ,” had never undergone a thorough safety assessment and was therefore not recognized by the FDA as GRAS. The discovery sent shockwaves through the food industry. It raised questions about the integrity of GRAS certifications and the potential for hidden ingredients to slip through regulatory cracks. The judges immediately disqualified the team and reported the finding to the FDA. As the FDA investigated, it emerged that the manufacturer of the protein powder had intentionally omitted XYZ from its GRAS notification. The company argued that the compound was simply a “minor constituent” of the powder and therefore did not warrant disclosure. However, the FDA maintained that all ingredients, regardless of their concentration, should be fully transparent. The omission of XYZ was a violation of the GRAS notification process and constituted a breach of public trust. The case of ‘.Broken+GRAS’ highlighted the importance of transparency and vigilance in food safety. It also demonstrated that even in a competitive environment, the pursuit of innovation should not compromise the safety of consumers. In the aftermath of the scandal, the FDA strengthened its oversight of GRAS certifications. Food companies are now required to provide more detailed documentation and scientific evidence to support their GRAS claims. Additionally, the agency has established a new GRAS Notification Program to ensure the thorough evaluation and disclosure of all GRAS ingredients. The story of ‘.Broken+GRAS’ serves as a reminder that food safety should always be the paramount concern. By embracing transparency and holding manufacturers accountable, we can create a food system that is both innovative and trustworthy.In Memory of David James Pauletto
In Memory of David James Pauletto
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved David James Pauletto on June 5, 2024. Born in Santa Barbara on October 3, 1947, David lived a fulfilling life marked by love, dedication, and unwavering spirit. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1965 and found the love of his life, Billie Diane Perkins, in 1969. Their 55 years of marriage were filled with joy, companionship, and the raising of a close-knit family. David was a tireless worker, spending his career as a skilled car mechanic. However, his true calling was as a jack-of-all-trades. He demonstrated an unparalleled work ethic and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His generosity of time and spirit left an immeasurable mark on those who knew him. Surrounded by his family in the home he built, David passed away peacefully. His legacy lives on in the renovations he completed as a young man, transforming the homes where his children and grandchildren now reside. He is predeceased by his parents, Palmira and Jenepero Pauletto. David’s memory lives on through his beloved wife, Billie Diane; children Mica, Michael, Mario (Grace), and Costanza (Christopher); grandson Trevor (Sabrina); granddaughter Ruby; and great-grandsons Derrik and Sebastian. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Mukul Gupta and his staff for their compassionate care. A memorial service will be held at Tuckers Grove, Area 1, on June 21 at 2:00 PM. All who loved David are welcome to gather and honor his extraordinary life.A food prize competition aimed at encouraging the development of healthy and sustainable foods has inadvertently revealed a hidden ingredient in products labeled as “Generally Regarded As Safe” (GRAS). The competition, run by the non-profit organization Food+City, required participants to submit food products that met certain nutritional and sustainability criteria. One of the winning products was a plant-based cheese alternative that was labeled as GRAS. However, further investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that the product contained a synthetic ingredient that was not included on the GRAS list. This ingredient, known as “synthetic casein,” is a protein that is produced using genetically modified bacteria. The FDA deemed the ingredient to be safe for human consumption, but its omission from the GRAS list raised concerns about the transparency and accuracy of the GRAS designation process. The GRAS designation is a self-affirmation status that manufacturers can use to declare that an ingredient is safe for use in food. The FDA relies on manufacturers to provide evidence to support their GRAS determinations. However, a 2018 report by the Government Accountability Office found that the FDA has limited resources to review GRAS notifications and that manufacturers may not always provide adequate scientific evidence to support their claims. The discovery of synthetic casein in the winning product has cast doubt on the reliability of the GRAS designation and has raised questions about the potential for undisclosed or unapproved ingredients in other food products. Food safety advocates are calling on the FDA to strengthen its oversight of GRAS substances and to require manufacturers to provide more comprehensive safety data. They also argue that consumers should have access to more information about the ingredients in their food, including those that are designated as GRAS.
