Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the Food and Drug Administration will consider revoking the “Generally Recognized as Safe” designation for certain processed sweeteners and refined carbohydrates unless manufacturers can demonstrate their safety.

In remarks aired on 60 Minutes, Kennedy confirmed that the agency plans to act on a petition submitted last year by former FDA Commissioner David Kessler. The request urges regulators to remove corn syrup and dozens of similar additives from the GRAS list, arguing the designation has allowed widespread use without rigorous federal oversight.

The GRAS framework was established by Congress in 1958 and permits companies to self-certify certain ingredients as safe without undergoing a full FDA review. Critics contend that the process has enabled the proliferation of ultraprocessed food products without sufficient transparency or independent evaluation.

Kennedy said the FDA should have examined the safety questions surrounding these ingredients years ago. He indicated that he intends to close what he described as a loophole in the approval system, pending White House authorization.

“There is no way for any American to know if a product is safe if it is ultraprocessed,” Kennedy said during the interview.

Kessler, who led the FDA from 1990 to 1997, has drawn parallels between current concerns over processed foods and past efforts to regulate tobacco. During his tenure, he attempted to assert FDA authority over cigarettes, a move that ultimately failed in court but intensified scrutiny of the tobacco industry.

“We changed how this country views tobacco,” Kessler said. “We need to change how this country views these ultraprocessed foods.”

Industry representatives defended the existing framework. The Consumer Brands Association said food manufacturers already comply with science-based safety standards and described the GRAS system as an important tool for innovation and meeting consumer demand. The group said it is prepared to work with federal agencies if revisions are pursued to enhance transparency.

Kennedy’s push comes as the Trump administration advances broader dietary guidance encouraging Americans to increase protein intake, reduce sugar consumption, and limit heavily processed foods. While signaling support for greater disclosure and evaluation, Kennedy stopped short of calling for sweeping new regulations, emphasizing instead the goal of providing clearer information to consumers.

The FDA has not yet announced a formal timetable for reviewing the petition.