title: A successful peer review program for regulatory decisions.
abstract: A unique peer review program for Federal agencies has been operating since 1962 to provide opinions of leading investigators for sponsors in various fields of the life sciences. The most notable study has recently been completed for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) food ingredients. Over 400 substances were evaluated by a Select Committee over a 10-year period and evaluative reports were submitted to the regulatory agency. Based in part on these reports made available for public comments, the FDA has been able to develop decisions for appropriate actions on the health aspects of these food ingredients. A comprehensive report on the work of the Select Committee on GRAS substances will be published in the archival literature.
mesh_terms: D007881:Legislation, Food; D010380:Peer Review; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration