Food Additive Petition

The FDA follows the authority of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). It defines food as "articles for food or drink for man or other animals ... and articles used for components of any such article".  It further defines "food additive" as any  substance that may reasonably be expected to becoming a component or affect the characteristics of any food. This includes any substance used in the production, manufacturing, packing, processing, preparing, treating, packaging, transporting, or holding food, if not if not Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).

21 CFR 571
21 CFR 573