The proposed GRAS bills (S.1239-E /A.1556E) would create a new state bureaucracy that duplicates one at the federal level to examine the safety of food ingredients and require enormous resources the state simply does not have. It would confuse consumers and increase costs for food producers, which will presumably hike prices at the grocery store.

The cost of food and housing in New York is out of control. This proposal will add new state-mandated packaging fees to everyday products. Those costs do not disappear.

• They typically move through the supply chain and show up in higher shelf prices and operating costs for small businesses.
• State leaders should be working on bringing down costs, not doing things that will drive up prices without making our lives better.

New York will be bombarded with millions of pages of science requiring specialized assets that our state government doesn’t have. Rushing ahead on GRAS legislation could lead to poor decisions and unintended consequences.

• Before the state takes on new oversight duties, it should take a careful look at how its current programs are working and whether they have enough staff and funding to do the job well.
• A New York-only GRAS reporting system creates new compliance costs, legal risk and paperwork for brands, distributors, and retailers. Those costs in all probability will be passed on to consumers.

A New York-only GRAS system is government overreach that will confuse consumers and create unnecessary burdens for businesses.

• It will leave New Yorkers with fewer options on their shelves while other states abide by federal standards, resulting in residents traveling across state lines, likely leading to a loss of sales and revenue for the state.
• The government should make sure we have straightforward information to make smart choices for our families. It should not make those decisions for us through state mandates that shrink what is available in New York without any scientific basis.

“A parallel state GRAS process does not create one stronger standard. It creates two overlapping systems with different requirements, timelines, and interpretations.”

—D R . L Y L E D . B U R G O O N , P H . D .