Darcy S. ONeil

GRAS Information

Added 2022-08-31 14:16:05 +0000 UTC

Here is the information on all things Generally Recognized As Safe. I've included the FDA website links, as well as the FEMA GRAS documentation. If you can't find an ingredient in one of these lists, you might not be able to use it, but for the most part, there is a vast number of compounds you can use to make an infinite number of flavour mixtures.

This is the basic "white list" of foods you can use without consideration, other than good manufacturing practices and safe levels of concentrates, like essential oils.

PART 182 - SUBSTANCES GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-182

This section is one of the harder parts to find for beverage producers, so here is the link. These food additives have some special requirements like only being allowed in syrups or alcoholic beverages or having usage limits. Many ingredients would be found in things like Vermouth or Chartreuse and other amari.

PART 172 -- FOOD ADDITIVES PERMITTED FOR DIRECT ADDITION TO FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Subpart F - Flavoring Agents and Related Substances

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=172.510

This list contains things like acids (acetic acid (vinegar), etc.) and salts (calcium carbonate, etc.) and other food ingredients that can be used in foods. There is a lot of detail, and usage applications, so if you are formulating something, this is a good starting point if you are using something that you are unsure of.

PART 184 - DIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-184

The list below is flavouring compounds (chemicals) that can be added to food. If you are buying these online (e.g. Perfumers Apprentice) they will usually come with a FEMA number, which you can use to look up usage rates.

Sec. 172.515 Synthetic flavouring substances and adjuvants.

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?FR=172.515

FEMA GRAS Documentation

https://www.femaflavor.org/sites/default/files/3.%20GRAS%20Substances(2001-3124)_0.pdf

If you have any questions, please let me know.