This is a work product of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). It does not represent official National 

Organic Program (NOP) positions or policy.

National Organic Standards Board

Handling Subcommittee

Proposal

Auxiliary/"Other Ingredients" 

January 29, 2013

Introduction

On Nov. 23, 2011, National Organic Program (NOP) Deputy Administrator Miles McEvoy 

sent a Memorandum to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) requesting 

clarification of “other ingredients” contained within handling materials on the National List of 

Allowed and Prohibited substance used in processed organic products. Since OFPA 

requires that each non-agricultural ingredient be specifically listed, and because the 

National List does not specifically list “other ingredients” commonly found in formulated

products, the NOP identified the need for clarity and requested that the NOSB develop a 

policy that specifies whether these “other ingredients” are allowed.

In the memo to NOSB, NOP requested the following:

The NOP is requesting that the NOSB develop a policy on “other ingredients” in § 

205.605 substances that is comparable to the comprehensive policy for crop and 

livestock materials. From this point forward, NOP is requesting that NOSB consider the 

presence of any “other ingredients” as part of its processes. As substances on the 

National List come up for sunset review, or as new petitions are considered, NOP 

requests that NOSB clarify whether any restrictions are warranted for “other ingredients” 

in § 205.605 substances. Any third-party technical report that NOP provides will include 

information on any “other ingredients” commonly found in the substance under review.

NOP is requesting that NOSB specify any allowed “other ingredients” in the background 

section of its recommendations for substances recommended for listing on § 205.605, 

so that these allowances are clear to the organic trade, certifying agents, and NOP. Any 

“other ingredients” not listed on § 205.605 or not referenced in the background section 

of the recommendation, would not be allowed in formulations of substances on § 

205.605 that are used in or on processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with 

organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).”

The memo continues:

NOSB may want to address the subject further in the future with a comprehensive policy 

for “other ingredients” that may be included in permitted handling materials. Some 

questions that could be addressed in a future recommendation could include the 

following:

1. Should all agricultural ingredients that are “other ingredients” be organically 

produced?

2. Are synthetic preservatives allowed as “other ingredients?
2

In response to the memo, the NOSB Handling Subcommittee has developed a policy for 

“other ingredients” that may be included in permitted handling materials. This 

recommendation defines “other ingredients” and the scope of their review.

Background 

The NOP regulations require that all certified organic producers and handlers use materials 

that comply with the applicable parts of the Standards [7 CFR Part 205]. The Standards 

include Subpart G (The National List), which specifies allowed and prohibited non-organic 

inputs for use in organic crop and livestock production and nonorganic substances allowed 

in organic food processing and handling. 

In general, for crop and livestock production, non-synthetic materials are allowed unless 

prohibited. Synthetic substances may be used provided they are on the National List and 

used in accordance with any specified restrictions. In contrast, the handling standards 

require that all non-organic non-agricultural substances, whether synthetic or non-synthetic, 

be included on the National List. Non-organic agricultural ingredients used in the 5% of an 

“organic” product must also be on the National List AND commercially unavailable in 

organic form.

Some items on § 205.605 and on § 205.606, however, are sold as multicomponent 

substances or mixtures wherein the “active” or listed substance is combined with “other 

ingredients,” (e.g. carriers, stabilizers and antioxidants) to provide a necessary technical 

effect on the National List substance. In certain cases, small amounts of standardizing 

agents may be incorporated to ensure the substance meets the specifications required by 

their standards of identity. Examples of § 205.605 substances that generally contain “other 

ingredients” include, but are not limited to, biological substances such as enzymes, dairy 

cultures and microorganisms; cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants such as peracetic acid; 

and nutrient vitamins. Examples of § 205.606 items that generally contain “other 

ingredients” include, but are not limited to, casings from processed intestines, colors, fish 

oil, pectin, and whey protein concentrate.

Currently, the allowance of “other ingredients” in substances on the National List used in 

processed organic products is unclear, particularly in contrast with crop and livestock 

substances. For organic crop and livestock production, specific categories of “other 

ingredients” are allowed as inert ingredients in pesticides and excipients in animal drugs. 

While inert ingredients used in pesticide products, and excipients used in drugs are 

addressed, the regulations are silent on “other ingredients” used in non-pesticide and nondrug products. The NOP memo states that for other crop and livestock materials a synthetic 

“other ingredient” is prohibited unless it appears on the National List and non-synthetic 

“other ingredients” are allowed unless prohibited by the National List. Livestock vitamins 

and minerals often include other ingredients, but these may be considered approved by 

certifiers as part of the vitamin or mineral due to lack of restrictions or further clarification on 

permitted sources of vitamins and minerals 

In contrast, the National List for processed products does not include a provision that 

provides allowances for any “other ingredients”. Instead, certain substances on the National 

List, such as flavors, colors and fish oil, specify a restriction on the use of “other 
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ingredients.” This has led some to believe that “other ingredients” used in handling 

materials are allowed unless specifically prohibited. 

Relevant areas in OFPA and Regulations (see Appendix 1 for full references)

OFPA prohibits a certified handler from adding “any synthetic ingredient not appearing on 

the National List during processing or any postharvest handling.” The National List heading 

in the regulations at § 205.605 and § 205.606 also specify the use of non-agricultural 

substances and agricultural products, respectively, referred to as ‘ingredients.’ While 

OFPA does not reference processing aids, the regulations under § 205.301(f)(4) prohibit 

the use of ‘processing aids’ during the handling of an organic product unless they are 

approved on the National List. Both terms are included under 205.2 (Terms Defined). 

Furthermore, in the final ruling on the Harvey II case (Nov. 2, 2006, the District Court of 

Maine1) the Courts determined that Congress did not distinguish between the general term

“ingredients” and “processing aids,” and authorized the use of synthetic substances, 

whether ingredients or processing aids, for the use in handling operations so long as they 

appear on the National List (Memorandum Decision on Motion to Enforce Judgment and 

Cross Motion for Relief from Judgment, U.S. District Court, District of Maine, Civil Docket 

2:02cv216).

There is inconsistent use of the term ‘substance’ used throughout OFPA and the 

regulations. OFPA clearly states that other ingredients should be evaluated as part and 

parcel of the consideration of substances for inclusion on the list. In establishing the criteria 

for what should be included on the national list and how items on the National List should 

be evaluated, OFPA uses the term “substance” to describe these items. It does not use 

terms like “single ingredient” or even “ingredient” in Sections 2118 or 2119 and it does not 

state that substances with more than one ingredient must be evaluated individually. Indeed, 

Sec. 2119 (l)(2) makes it clear that it was understood that substances might contain 

multiple ingredients where it says:

• “Sec. 2119 (l)(2) work with manufacturers of substances considered for inclusion on 

the National List to obtain a complete list of ingredients and determine whether such 

substances contain inert materials that are synthetically produced;” {emphasis 

added}

However, the Federal Register Notice on Procedures for Submitting National List Petitions 

[72 Federal Register 2167] has not fostered a clear and consistent approach to the issue. 

The Notice reads:

Any person may submit a petition requesting a substance to be reviewed by the NOP 

and NOSB at any time. Each substance to be evaluated for the National List must be 

submitted in a separate petition. Only single substances may be petitioned 

for evaluation; formulated products cannot appear on the National List.

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OFPA does not refer to ‘processing aids.’ However, in the final ruling on the Harvey II case Nov. 2, 2006, the District Court of 

Maine ruled that the OFPA change of 2005 that allowed synthetic “ingredients” also allowed synthetic “processing aids” as long as 

they appear on the National List. The Court determined that Congress did not distinguish between the general term “ingredients” and 

“processing aids,” and authorized the use of synthetic substances, whether ingredients or processing aids, for the use in handling 

operations so long as they appear on the National List (Memorandum Decision on Motion to Enforce Judgment and Cross Motion for 

Relief from Judgment, U.S. District Court, District of Maine, Civil Docket 2:02cv216).
4

Furthermore, the NOSB recommendation of November 2009 in the context of 

classification of materials uses the following definition for "substance":

"Substance. A generic type of material, such as an element, molecular species, or 

chemical compound that possesses a distinct identity (e.g. having a separate 

Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) number, Codex International Numbering System 

(INS) number, or FDA or other agency standard of identity)."

Discussion

Defining “other ingredients”

The term “other ingredients,” as described in the NOP Memo to NOSB, is not a recognized 

regulatory term with a legal definition. However since the term was used in the NOP Memo, 

it will be used throughout this discussion document. For this purpose, “other ingredients” 

will be defined as additives added during the manufacturing of a non-organic substance 

and not removed. They may be considered “incidental additives” by FDA, depending on 

use and type of end product being considered. . See Appendix 2 for other relevant FDA 

Definitions.

“Other Ingredients” have the following characteristics:

• They are added during the manufacturing of a non-organic substance and not removed. 

• They are not added directly by the certified handler. 

• They are present in a food at insignificant levels and have no technical or functional effect 

in that food. 

• They are not required by FDA to be listed on the ingredient panel in that food. 

• “Other ingredients” are substances that are present because they were incorporated into 

an allowed substance on the National List.

It should be clear that “other ingredients” discussed in this paper are not the same as 

“ingredients” or “processing aids” used for a specific purpose directly by a certified handler 

in or on processed organic products. The regulations are clear that non-organic 

‘ingredients’ or ‘processing aids’ used directly by a certified handler in or on a certified 

organic processed product must be on the National List at § 205.605 or § 205.606. 

The NOP memo only requested a policy on § 205.605 listings on the National List. 

However non-organic agricultural ingredients or products listed on § 205.606 of the 

National List often contain "other ingredients" also. The Handling Subcommittee believes it

will be more efficient and result in overall better comprehension to address both sections of 

the National List at the same time. 

Baseline Criteria 

We believe that baseline criteria should be used for the evaluation of “other ingredients,” 

based on the existing requirements that are already imposed by OFPA and 7 CFR Part 

205. As baseline we propose that all “other ingredients” must be legal for use in food in the 

United States, (appears with a regulated status in the FDA database "Everything Added to 

Food in the United States” (EAFUS)), or be subject of a FDA “no objections” response in 

the GRAS Notification Inventory published by FDA. The NOSB is aware that some 

ingredients are legally used in food products that are deemed GRAS by manufacturers who 
5

do not disclose the safety information by submitting a notification to FDA, but finds that 

ingredients used in organic food, should at a minimum, be reviewed for safety by the FDA, 

with such information publicly disclosed.2

The baseline criteria are as follows:

“Other ingredients” are those that are authorized for use in materials on the National List at 

§ 205.605 and § 205.606 according to the following criteria:

1. Any substance either approved as a food additive or listed or affirmed as GRAS in 

the FDA Database “Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS)” 

[http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm115326.htm]

2. Any substance listed in the GRAS Notification Inventory published by FDA, with a 

letter of no objection. [. 

(see http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnNavigation.cfm?rpt=grasListing]

AND any component or ingredient would be disallowed if:

3. Prohibited by federal regulatory action [7 U.S.C. § 6517(d)] or;

4. It is required by the FDA to be on an ingredient label for the petitioned substance, 

and therefore does not meet FDA’s definition of an ‘incidental additive’.

Recommendation 

Policy and Procedure

NOSB currently evaluates materials on a case-by-case basis without an overarching policy 

for “other ingredients.” Additionally, ACAs and MROs have no overall guidance on other 

ingredients from the NOP, varying capacities for materials review and wide latitude to make 

decisions unless specific decisions are overruled by the NOP. While the review of materials 

in general for use in organic production and handling is currently quite rigorous, there is 

need for improvement and harmonization of the system to assure continued confidence 

and growth of the industry. 

NOP clearly recognizes the need to improve review of non-organic ingredients as reflected 

by their declaration in the memo that third party technical reviews will include information on 

“other ingredients” and their request that NOSB consider their presence as part of their 

review process “from this point forward.” This recommendation clarifies the policy to be 

used for review and sets out a set of procedures to achieve a more consistent and 

transparent review of these ingredients.

Policy

The NOSB intends to review “other ingredients” found in substances on and petitioned for 

the National List. Comprehensive review does not require “other ingredients” to be 

individually listed on the National List, however. The Board intends to follow the request by 

 2 As FDA notes: “The EAFUS list of substances contains ingredients added directly to food that FDA has either 

approved as food additives or listed or affirmed as GRAS. Nevertheless, it contains only a partial list of all food 

ingredients that may in fact be lawfully added to food, because under federal law some ingredients may be added to food 

under a GRAS determination made independently from the FDA. The list contains many, but not all, of the substances 

subject to independent GRAS determinations.”
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NOP to consider “other ingredients” contained in substances as they come up for sunset 

review or as new petitions are considered.

In each NOSB review checklist and recommendation cover sheet there will be a clear 

space to indicate what other ingredients are being reviewed and what restriction if any are 

placed on them as a result of the review. Restrictions on other ingredients will be included 

in an annotation and may be for specific individual components, for functional classes of 

ingredients, or by regulatory reference to another governmental agency such as FDA. If 

possible the other ingredients restrictions may be incorporated into a permitted substances 

database for Handling, such as the one that is coming out for crops.

The NOSB recommendation will include a note that the other ingredients were reviewed 

and accepted. The review of other ingredients will try to distinguish between synthetic and 

non-synthetic ones, as well as agricultural ingredients that might be able to be organically 

produced. Any additional restrictions will be specified in an annotation. 

Other ingredients in general product categories that are currently on § 205.605 and § 

205.606 and currently used in certified organic processed product will continue to be 

allowed until they go through their next sunset review and subsequent Rule amendment.

Procedure

The following procedure will be used in review of all new petitions to add substances to the 

National List. It will also be used during the sunset review of existing listings. The sunset 

process on the more complex groups of substances mentioned below will need to start 

about six months earlier than normal to allow for stakeholders to submit input on other 

ingredients before a TR is commissioned.

NOSB Review:

• 1) NOSB identifies “other ingredients” as disclosed in the petition and previous 

Technical Reports.

• 2) For sunset materials the NOSB will additionally request input from ACAs and 

MROs on additional other ingredients in a substance before commissioning the 

TR, so that all can be reviewed at once.

• 3) TR identifies commonly used ‘other ingredients’ and describes them.

• 4) Other ingredients must meet Baseline Criteria (above). 

• 5) Special questions on the checklist used by the NOSB will be developed by the 

fall of 2013 to assess the role, essentiality and viability of alternatives to the 

"other ingredients" in a substance.

• 6) NOSB may recommend “other ingredients” individually, categorically or a 

combination of both. 

• 7). The NOSB may or may not stipulate in a review that any agricultural "other 

ingredients" must be organically produced.

• 8). Materials listed on § 205.605(a) and 205.606 may contain synthetic or nonsynthetic other ingredients, provided they are specifically acknowledged by 

NOSB during the review.
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The following listings on 205.605 are classes of substances that are known to require the 

use of "other ingredients". These are recommended for careful review during the sunset 

period.

• Nutrient Vitamins/Minerals; in accordance with 21 CFR 104.20, Nutritional 

Quality Guidelines For Foods (Sunset 2017)

• Enzymes; —must be derived from edible, nontoxic plants, nonpathogenic fungi, 

or nonpathogenic bacteria (Sunset 2017)

• Animal enzymes; Rennet—animals derived; Catalase—bovine liver; Animal 

lipase; Pancreatin; Pepsin; and Trypsin. (Sunset 2013)

• Microorganisms; any food grade bacteria, fungi, and other microorganism 

(Sunset 2017)

• Yeast; nonsynthetic, growth on petrochemical substrate and sulfite waste liquor 

is prohibited (Autolysate; Bakers; Brewers; Nutritional; and Smoked—

nonsynthetic smoke flavoring process must be documented. (Sunset 2017) 

• Dairy Cultures; (Sunset 2017) 

• Natural Flavors; must not be produced using synthetic solvents and carrier 

systems or any artificial preservative. (Sunset 2017) 

• Agricultural Colors; must not be produced using synthetic solvents and carrier 

systems or any artificial preservative. (Sunset 2017) 

• Alginates; (Sunset 2017) 

• Waxes; Carnauba wax; and Wood resin. (Sunset 2017) Shellac

We hope that during the comment period for this posting more such items can be brought 

to our attention by commenters.

The Dilemma of Confidential Business Information (CBI)

Some brand name formulations currently used in organic processed products may include 

other ingredients not reviewed because the manufacturer is unable or unwilling to disclose 

all of the ingredients. Petitions that contain CBI ingredients run the risk of not having those 

ingredients reviewed. Please see the NOSB's CBI recommendation.

Other Considerations

In the course of developing policy, several other considerations became apparent. The 

Handling Sub-Committee hopes to do further work on some of these subjects in the future 

and brings them up here because they are relevant to reviewing handling materials.

• If a new policy is adopted there will be need for transition time for operators to bring 

products into compliance. NOP will need to specify this transition or implementation 

time in their draft and final guidance

• We recommend moving cleaners, sanitizers, disinfectants and other non-food 

substances such as boiler additives to their own designated section of the National List 

and develop policy specific to these types of items. This section should apply to Crops, 

Livestock and Processing materials.

• The Handling Subcommittee recommends that the CACS take up the issue of a 

standardized template that is required for non-organic ingredient affidavits. The 

template could include legal language vetted with the NOP that would hold ingredient 
8

manufacturers more accountable about avoiding excluded methods, technical effects 

of other ingredients and other issues.

Increasing the use of organic ingredients and processing aids has been a very explicit goal 

of the organic community since early on. The NOSB has already endorsed the concept of a 

pro-active approach to the development and creation of organic analogs to replace nonorganic and synthetic items. By making the policy and procedure clearer for review of minor 

ingredients there will be more incentive for product development of superior choices within 

these ingredient categories. This would likely stimulate the use of “other ingredients” in 

205.605 substances that are either organic or on the National List.

Subcommittee Vote

Motion: The NOSB Handling Subcommittee moves to adopt this proposal for auxiliary other 

ingredients.

Motion by: Zea Sonnabend Second: Jean Richardson

Yes: 7 No: 0 Absent: 1 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Appendix 1 – Regulatory References

OFPA

SEC. 2111. [7 U.S.C. 6510] HANDLING.

(a) IN GENERAL.—For a handling operation to be certified under this title, each person 

on such handling operation shall not, with respect to any agricultural product 

covered by this title—

(1) add any synthetic ingredient not appearing on the National List during the 

processing or any postharvest handling

SEC. 2118. [7 U.S.C. 6517] NATIONAL LIST.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall establish a National List of approved and 

prohibited substances that shall be included in the standards for organic production 

and handling established under this title in order for such products to be sold or 

labeled as organically produced under this title.

(b) CONTENT OF LIST.—The list established under subsection (a) shall contain an 

itemization, by specific use or application, of each synthetic substance permitted 

under subsection (c)(1) or each natural substance prohibited under subsection (c)(2).

NOP Regulations

§ 205.2. Terms Defined.

Ingredient. Any substance used in the preparation of an agricultural product that is still 

present in the final commercial product as consumed.

Processing aid. 

(1) Substance that is added to a food during the processing of such food but is removed 

in some manner from the food before it is packaged in its finished form;
9

(2) a substance that is added to a food during processing, is converted into constituents 

normally present in the food, and does not significantly increase the amount of the 

constituents naturally found in the food; and

(3) a substance that is added to a food for its technical or functional effect in the 

processing but is present in the finished food at insignificant levels and does not have 

any technical or functional effect in that food.

§ 205.301 Product composition.

(b) Products sold, labeled, or represented as “organic.” A raw or processed agricultural 

product sold, labeled, or represented as “organic” must contain (by weight or fluid 

volume, excluding water and salt) not less than 95 percent organically produced raw or 

processed agricultural products. Any remaining product ingredients must be organically 

produced, unless not commercially available in organic form, or must be nonagricultural 

substances or nonorganically produced agricultural products produced consistent with 

the National List in subpart G of this part. If labeled as organically produced, such 

product must be labeled pursuant to §205.303.

(c) Products sold, labeled, or represented as “made with organic (specified ingredients 

or food group(s)).” Multi-ingredient agricultural product sold, labeled, or represented as 

“made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” must contain (by weight or 

fluid volume, excluding water and salt) at least 70 percent organically produced 

ingredients which are produced and handled pursuant to requirements in subpart C of 

this part. No ingredients may be produced using prohibited practices specified in 

paragraphs (f)(1), (2), and (3) of §205.301. Nonorganic ingredients may be produced 

without regard to paragraphs (f)(4), (5), (6), and (7) of §205.301. If labeled as containing 

organically produced ingredients or food groups, such product must be labeled pursuant 

to §205.304.

(f) All products labeled as “100 percent organic” or “organic” and all ingredients 

identified as “organic” in the ingredient statement of any product must not:

(4) Be processed using processing aids not approved on the National List of Allowed 

and Prohibited Substances in subpart G of this part: Except, That, products labeled 

as “100 percent organic,” if processed, must be processed using organically 

produced processing aids;

§ 205.605 Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on 

processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified 

ingredients or food group(s)).”

The following nonagricultural substances may be used as ingredients in or on 

processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or 

food group(s))” only in accordance with any restrictions specified in this section.

[Examples of specified restrictions addressing “other ingredients”:]

(a) Nonsynthetics allowed:

Flavors, nonsynthetic sources only and must not be produced using synthetic 

solvents and carrier systems or any artificial preservative.
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(b) Synthetics allowed:

Peracetic acid/Peroxyacetic acid (CAS # 79–21–0)—for use in wash and/or rinse 

water according to FDA limitations. For use as a sanitizer on food contact 

surfaces.

§ 205.606 Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in 

or on processed products labeled as “organic.”

Only the following nonorganically produced agricultural products may be used as 

ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic,” only in accordance with 

any restrictions specified in this section, and only when the product is not commercially 

available in organic form.

[Examples of specified restrictions addressing “other ingredients”:]

(d) Colors derived from agricultural products—Must not be produced using synthetic 

solvents and carrier systems or any artificial preservative.

(f) Fish oil (Fatty acid CAS #'s: 10417–94–4, and 25167–62–8)—stabilized with 

organic ingredients or only with ingredients on the National List, §§205.605 and 

205.606.

Appendix 2 – FDA references

Food additive. A substance, the intended use of which results or may reasonably be 

expected to result, directly or indirectly, either in the substance becoming a component of 

food or otherwise affecting the characteristics of food. A material used in the production of 

containers and packages is subject to the definition if it may reasonably be expected to 

become a component, or to affect the characteristics, directly or indirectly, of food packed 

in the container. A substance that does not become a component of food, but that is used 

in preparing an ingredient of the food to give a different flavor, texture, or other 

characteristic in the food, may be a food additive. 21 CFR § 170.3.

Secondary Direct Food Additive. This term is in the title of 21 CFR 173, which was 

created during recodification of the food additive regulations in 1977. A secondary direct 

food additive has a technical effect in food during processing but not in the finished food 

(e.g., processing aid). Some secondary direct food additives also meet the definition of a 

food contact substance. For more on food contact substances, consult the Food Contact 

Substance Notification Program.

Indirect Food Additive - In general, these are food additives that come into contact with 

food as part of packaging, holding, or processing, but are not intended to be added directly 

to, become a component, or have a technical effect in or on the food. Indirect food additives 

mentioned in Title 21 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (21CFR) used in foodcontact articles, include adhesives and components of coatings (Part 175), paper and 

paperboard components (Part 176), polymers (Part 177), and adjuvants and production 

aids (Part 178). Currently, additional indirect food additives are authorized through the food 
11

contact notification program. In addition, indirect food additives may be authorized through 

21 CFR 170.39.

Incidental additive. (3) Incidental additives that are present in a food at insignificant levels 

and do not have any technical or functional effect in that food. For the purposes of this 

paragraph (a)(3), incidental additives are:

(i) Substances that have no technical or functional effect but are present in a food by 

reason of having been incorporated into the food as an ingredient of another food, in 

which the substance did have a functional or technical effect.

(ii) Processing aids, which are as follows:

(a) Substances that are added to a food during the processing of such food but are 

removed in some manner from the food before it is packaged in its finished form.

(b) Substances that are added to a food during processing, are converted into 

constituents normally present in the food, and do not significantly increase the amount 

of the constituents naturally found in the food.

(c) Substances that are added to a food for their technical or functional effect in the 

processing but are present in the finished food at insignificant levels and do not have 

any technical or functional effect in that food.

(iii) Substances migrating to food from equipment or packaging or otherwise affecting food 

that are not food additives as defined in section 201(s) of the act; or if they are food 

additives as so defined, they are used in conformity with regulations established pursuant 

to section 4.

GRAS - "GRAS" is an acronym for the phrase Generally Recognized As Safe. Under 

sections 201(s) and 409 of the FD&C Act, any substance that is intentionally added to food 

is a food additive, that is subject to premarket review and approval by FDA, unless the 

substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been adequately 

shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use, or unless the use of the 

substance is otherwise excluded from the definition of a food additive. GRAS substances 

are distinguished from food additives by the type of information that supports the GRAS 

determination, that it is publicly available and generally accepted by the scientific 

community, but should be the same quantity and quality of information that would support 

the safety of a food additive. Additional information on GRAS can be found on the GRAS 

Notification Program page.