To ensure the safe use of food additives, FDA approval of Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substances for specific uses needs to be followed. For the food industry to use a new additive or an approved additive for a different purpose, the manufacturer must first apply to the FDA for approval. The GRAS process is well suited for food and animal feed. Food additives can be microorganisms and microbial-derived ingredients. In the food industry, microorganisms play different roles through fermentation. Fermentation is a metabolic process that derives energy from organic compounds. For example, the formation of inhibitory metabolites such as bacteriocins to preserve food and the removal of toxic compounds to improve food safety.
