California Proposes GRAS Bill to Enhance Food Safety Standards

On February 17, 2026, California introduced Assembly Bill 2034 (AB 2034), a significant legislative effort aimed at enhancing the safety of food ingredients recognized as generally safe (GRAS). If enacted, the bill would require manufacturers of packaged food products sold in the state to provide evidence to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) demonstrating the safety of any color additive, food additive, or dietary ingredient introduced after 1958 that has not received pre-market approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The proposed legislation mandates that the CDPH maintain a public database where these safety notices would be posted. Additionally, manufacturers would be obligated to submit a comprehensive list of ingredients for each product, particularly if certain additives are not already disclosed on packaging. This includes incidental additives and other ingredients that fall under exemptions from labeling as specified in 21 CFR 101.100.

AB 2034 also stipulates that the CDPH must review evidence on at least ten food substances available in the market every three years. The goal is to prohibit the use of “unsafe and poorly tested” chemicals in foods sold in California, a move that advocates assert could have national implications.

The bill is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). According to the organization, this “groundbreaking bill” responds to the ongoing shortcomings of the FDA in safeguarding consumers against potentially dangerous food chemicals. The author of the bill, Assemblymember Dawn Addis, emphasized that this legislation seeks to “close federal loopholes” regarding the GRAS program, which has come under scrutiny for its leniency.

As the debate around GRAS substances intensifies, prominent figures are joining the conversation. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently appeared on “60 Minutes” alongside former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler to discuss potential reforms addressing the GRAS loophole. Their comments reflect broader concerns regarding regulatory practices that may allow unsafe ingredients to remain in the food supply.

The introduction of AB 2034 is part of a larger trend of state and federal actions aimed at improving food safety standards. With growing public awareness of food ingredient safety, California’s legislative push may set a precedent for other states and prompt a reevaluation of national regulations.

As the legislative process unfolds, stakeholders in the food industry, health advocacy groups, and consumers will closely monitor the implications of this bill. If passed, AB 2034 could reshape the landscape of food safety regulation, ensuring that consumers have access to safer food products in California and potentially beyond.