FEMA (The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association)
(FEMA) is the abbreviation of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States. It was founded in 1909 by several flavor firms in the states. This is in response to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906.
Since year 1959, FEMA has played instrumental roles in creating a program to assess the safety and “GRAS” (Generally Recognized As Safe) status of the flavoring ingredients. Also, this safety assessment is carried according to the Federal law governing the regulation of flavors and other food ingredients. As well as describing the Food Additives Amendments to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Since then, the FEMA GRAS™ program has become the longest-running and most widely recognized industry GRAS assessment program.