Because of a regulatory pathway known as GRAS, or “generally recognized as safe.” , companies are expected, but not required, to notify the F.D.A. when they introduce a new chemical that experts they’ve hired deemed OK to use. As a result, the food industry is often vetting the safety of the ingredients in our food, not federal regulators. Researchers estimate that there are roughly 1,000 chemicals in the food supply whose identities are unknown to regulators.
