Regulatory Process

Flavor ingredients, including flavors, flavor enhancers and taste modulators, intended for use in foods in the United States are regulated under provisions of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act administered by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Flavor compounds sold in countries and regions outside of the United States are also subject to regulations imposed by national governments or regional regulatory authorities as is the case in the European Union.

Regulation of Flavor Enhancers and Taste Modulators in the United States

In the United States, the majority of flavor compounds are regulated by the FDA as approved food additives, or as GRAS ingredients under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Food Additive Amendment of 1958 prompted the flavor industry to establish in 1960 an Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association, or FEMA, an organization that has administered the GRAS program for flavors on behalf of the industry for over 40 years [more]

Benefits of the FEMA GRAS Process

There are three key benefits of the FEMA GRAS review process: [more]