Demystifying FDA's Food Ingredient Approval Process

Self Study Module
FREE CPE

A Continuing Professional Education Program for Health Professionals

The Calorie Control Council has developed this Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)-approved continuing professional education (CPE) online program. If you are a registered dietitian or a dietetic technician, simply follow the instructions to earn one CPE credit hour following successful completion of the CPE questions.

Overview

Dietitians and other health professionals hear questions every day about whether the foods in grocery stores or restaurants are healthy and safe. Processed foods, complex ingredient names, low-calorie sweeteners, and preservatives are just a few examples of ingredient-related questions asked by consumers. The RD is uniquely positioned to hear these questions and respond to them, but must be prepared to do so.

The Calorie Control Council received a great deal of interest from RDs interested in learning more about food additive regulations, following its successful webinar provided in partnership with the Food and Culinary Professionals practice group in 2009. This module provides an in-depth exploration of the regulations for food additives.

Learning Objectives

After completing this self-study learning module, health professionals will be able to:

•    List the functions of ingredients in foods.
•    Describe the basic components of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision-making process for a food additive safety evaluation.
•    Describe potential actions FDA may take when the usual process for food additive safety evaluation does not answer safety questions adequately.
•    Define "Generally Recognized as Safe," or GRAS.
•    Discuss post-approval actions available to the FDA with respect to food additives and GRAS ingredients.
•    Define the safety standard required for all food ingredients, including both food additives and GRAS ingredients.

Program Details

CDR Program Number: 099249
CDR Suggested Learning Needs Codes: 2000, 2020, 2010, 3000, 4000
Cost: There is no fee for this program

Instructions

Step 1: Register for this free CPE self-study module.

Step 2: Review Program Overview and Learning Objectives (listed above)

Step 3: Read and View the Online Program

Step 4: Complete Online Learning Assessment Quiz. After completing the quiz, you will receive your score and view the Answer Key.

Step 5:  Print the Certificate of Completion to retain for your records.  Remember, you MUST register in order to be eligible to for CPE credit.

Step 6: Print bibliography and additional resources for more information on this topic.

Step 7: Complete the Program Evaluation so that Calorie Control Council may continually improve its CPE offerings.

Visit http://www.caloriecontrol.org frequently to learn about other resources for your practice.