Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) was first described in the Food Additives Amendment of 1958, which designates that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts.
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is a United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. The concept of food additives being "generally recognized as safe" was first described in the Food Additives Amendment of 1958, and all additives introduced after this time had to be evaluated by new standards. To establish GRAS, the proponent  usually a food manufacturer, ingredient supplier, or manufacturer  must show that there is a consensus of expert opinion that the substance is safe for its intended use. 
