# 119-hr-4958: GRAS Act

119-hr-4958, GRAS Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-31).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4958
- As of: 2026-10-31
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-4958
- Congress: 119
- Title: GRAS Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-08-12
- Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6] (D-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 5
- Policy area: Health
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-31

## Summary

**A formal, data-driven GRAS safety system** would replace informal "generally recognized as safe" determinations with mandatory notices, public data disclosure, and routine safety reassessments. The bill would define key scientific terms, set timelines for FDA action, and add fees and appropriations to fund reviews. - Families and consumers would get GRAS notices and supporting data posted on FDA's website with a public comment period of at least 60 days, increasing transparency about additives. - Food makers and ingredient suppliers would need to file formal GRAS notices for new or previously unmarketed uses, provide robust safety data, meet a 180-day FDA decision window that can be extended by 90 days, and face civil penalties tied to reassessment requirements. - FDA and federal oversight would run a reassessment program that must evaluate at least 10 substances or classes within 3 years and every 3 years after, use clearer hazard and toxicity definitions, and receive new fee and appropriation authority to support those reviews.

## Cosponsors (5)

- Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] (D-DC), 2025-12-01T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12] (D-MI), 2026-02-03T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20] (D-NY), 2026-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17] (D-CA), 2026-02-24T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8] (D-WA), 2026-07-09T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Clear safety terms for GRAS reviews: benefit, high. If enacted, the bill would define key safety terms used in GRAS decisions. It would define carcinogenic, conflict of interest, cumulative effects, developmental toxicity, reproductive toxicity, and more. These definitions would guide how the FDA weighs evidence and makes safety calls.
- New FDA process for GRAS notices: benefit, high. If enacted, anyone seeking a new GRAS use would need to file a notice with the FDA. The notice would include public safety studies and data. The FDA would post the notice and data online and take public comments for at least 60 days. The FDA would respond within 180 days, with one 90‑day extension…
- Regular FDA checks on food substances: benefit, high. If enacted, the FDA would recheck the safety of at least 10 substances or classes within 3 years and at least every 3 years after. Reviews could cover food additives, color additives, prior‑sanctioned substances, food contact substances, and past GRAS substances. Companies could be required to subm…
- New FDA fees for food makers: cost, medium. If enacted, people who file a food‑additive petition or GRAS notice would pay a new FDA fee. Makers or importers of substances under FDA reassessment could also pay fees. Each year’s fee would cover 100% of FDA’s estimated costs for these reviews. The bill updates fee baseline years to 2026 and 202…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-1768: Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act
- 119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act
- 119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025
- 119-hr-5390: FAMILY Act
- 119-hr-15: Equality Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-4958 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4958)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-1768: Lower Costs for Everyday Americans Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-1768)
- [119-hr-51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-51)
- [119-hr-20: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-20)
- [119-hr-5390: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5390)
- [119-hr-15: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-15)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-4958 (as of 2026-10-31).