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This week in FDA history.This weekly feature from 2006, the FDA's centennial year, highlights history and progress in the agency's first 100 years.A sampling of significant events in the Food and Drug Administration's first 100 years.
Photo of a laboratory worker testing food additives to be used commerically.
September 6, 1958:
The Food Additives Amendments are passed, requiring that food additives, including preservatives, emulsifiers, and other functional additives, be subject to premarket testing.
 

FDA in 2006

The FDA must review the safety of food and color additives before manufacturers and distributors can market them. To initiate this review, the FDA requires sponsors to submit a petition or notification that includes test data demonstrating the safety of the intended use of the substance.
The agency also has a notification program for substances that are "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS). Finally, developers of foods derived from bioengineered plants consult with FDA to ensure that all safety and regulatory questions are resolved prior to marketing.

More information on food additives

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