The Secret Ingredient is...Wood Pulp?

In the last day or so, The Los Angeles Times, Quartz, and the International Business Times have all noted that many foods, including fast-food items, include wood pulp among their listed ingredients.

According to the L.A Times, among the fast-food items that include wood pulp, or "cellulose," are McDonald's Fish Filets and Taco Bell's Beef  (The information is available on the companies' websites).

The FDA notes that cellulose is not digestible, but nevertheless recognizes many forms of it as "GRAS," or generally recognized as safe.


Neil Pederson, J.D. Expected 2015, William Mitchell College of Law.

Photo Credit: http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/104063

EVENT: "Is the GRAS process broken?"

The Food and Drug Law Institute (FDLI), a non-profit based in Washington D.C., is hosting a conference: "Is the GRAS process broken?" The event is set for July 23, 2014 in Washington, D.C. FDLI describes the event as a forum for dialogue, where experts"will explore whether there are holes in the system and the efficacy of the GRAS determination procedures."

FDLI is seeking attorneys, regulatory affairs specialists, scientists, public health professionals, academics, and consultants to attend the event.

Teleconference is available.

"GRAS" is an acronym for "generally recognized as safe." The standard applies to FDA approvals of food substances, under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act (FDCA). Food substances that meet the standard are not subject to premarket approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Neil Pederson, J.D. expected 2015, William Mitchell College of Law

Photo Credit: http://morguefile.com/archive/#/?q=tall%20grass&sort=pop&photo_lib=morgueFile