Comment from Mayling Molina

I am writing in support of Dr. David Kessler’s petition regarding processed refined carbohydrates and FDA’s GRAS framework. My support is grounded in personal health experience and the difficulty of managing exposure to these ingredients in the modern food environment. In my day-to-day life, I have found that foods built around highly refined carbohydrates—especially those made with ingredients like corn syrups, maltodextrins, and refined starches—are much harder to moderate than meals made from intact, minimally processed foods. When I eat these ultra-processed, refined-carb products, I am more likely to experience rapid hunger rebound, stronger cravings, and inconsistent energy levels. The result is not just “lack of willpower”; it is a predictable pattern tied to how these products are engineered for rapid consumption and repeated intake. Consumers cannot realistically manage risk when these ingredients are pervasive across packaged foods, often under multiple names, and heavily used in products marketed as convenient or even “better-for-you.” The cumulative exposure is high, especially for children and families relying on affordable packaged options. This petition is not a request to “ban carbohydrates” or restrict traditional foods. It is a reasonable request for FDA to reassess whether these industrially refined carbohydrate ingredients should continue to receive GRAS treatment under present conditions of use, and to require the type of transparent, evidence-based safety review and use parameters expected for other additives. At minimum, FDA should initiate a formal scientific review that accounts for real-world consumption patterns, cumulative exposure, and child-directed product categories. Thank you for considering this petition and for prioritizing a regulatory approach that reflects today’s food supply and public health realities.