Food Additives to Avoid
49 substances flagged for significant concerns — banned in at least one country or under active regulatory review.
Showing 1–24 of 49 avoid additives
2-butanol
Flavoring2-butanol is a four-carbon alcohol used as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for food use in the United States.
Acetamide--nlfg
FlavoringAcetamide (CAS 60-35-5) is a small organic compound classified as a flavoring agent or adjuvant in food applications. It is not currently approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not on the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list.
Acetic Anhydride
FlavoringAcetic anhydride (CAS 108-24-7) is a chemical compound used as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant in food production. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not on the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list for food use in the United States.
Acrolein
OtherAcrolein is a volatile organic compound with antimicrobial properties that has been investigated for food preservation applications. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
Amyl Alcohol
FlavoringAmyl alcohol is a volatile organic compound used as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).
Benzene
OtherBenzene (CAS 71-43-2) is a volatile organic compound and aromatic hydrocarbon. It is not approved for intentional addition to food by the FDA and is not recognized as having a known food additive function.
Benzothiazole
FlavoringBenzothiazole is an organic compound classified as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer used in the food industry. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and has limited regulatory acceptance for direct food use in most jurisdictions.
Biphenyl
FlavoringBiphenyl (diphenyl) is an organic compound used as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and has limited use in food applications globally.
Boric Acid
LubricantBoric acid (CAS 10043-35-3) is a naturally occurring compound that functions as a lubricant or release agent in food manufacturing. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not recognized as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for food use.
Calamus Extract--prohibited
OtherCalamus extract is a flavoring substance derived from the rhizome of Acorus calamus (sweet flag plant). It has been prohibited in food use by the FDA due to safety concerns, despite limited adverse event reports in the agency's database.
Calamus Oil--prohibited
FlavoringCalamus oil (CAS 8015-79-0) is an essential oil derived from the calamus plant, historically used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages. It has been prohibited in food products in the United States and many other countries due to safety concerns regarding its toxic constituents.
Calamus--prohibited
FlavoringCalamus is a flavoring agent derived from the rhizome of Acorus calamus plant, historically used to impart warm, spicy notes to beverages and foods. Due to toxicological concerns, particularly regarding the compound beta-asarone, calamus has been prohibited in food use by the FDA and other major regulatory bodies.
Calcium Cyclamate--prohibited
SweetenerCalcium cyclamate is a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener approximately 30-40 times sweeter than sucrose. It was widely used in beverages and processed foods but has been prohibited in many countries, including the United States, due to regulatory decisions based on animal study findings.
Chlorofluorocarbon 113
OtherChlorofluorocarbon 113 (CFC-113) is a synthetic refrigerant compound historically used as a freezing and cooling agent in direct contact with food products. Due to environmental concerns regarding ozone layer depletion, this substance has been phased out globally and is no longer permitted for food contact applications in most jurisdictions.
Chlorofluorocarbons--prohibited
OtherChlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are synthetic compounds that were historically used as propellants in food aerosol products. These substances have been prohibited in food applications due to their significant environmental impact on ozone depletion, rather than direct food safety concerns.
Chloroform
OtherChloroform (trichloromethane) is a volatile organic compound historically used as a processing aid in food manufacturing. It is no longer approved for use in food in most jurisdictions due to regulatory restrictions and the availability of safer alternatives.
Chloromethyl Methyl Ether
OtherChloromethyl methyl ether (CAS 107-30-2) is a chemical compound used as a processing aid in food manufacturing. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
Cinnamyl Anthranilate--prohibited
FlavoringCinnamyl anthranilate is a synthetic chemical compound that was once considered for use as a flavoring agent or adjuvant in food products. However, due to safety concerns identified in animal studies, its use in food is prohibited in the United States and it has never been approved for food use in the European Union.
Cobalt Sulfate--prohibited With Exceptions
OtherCobalt sulfate is an inorganic compound used as a malting or fermenting aid and surface-active agent in food production. It is prohibited for use in most food applications in the United States with limited exceptions, and is not recognized as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.
Cobaltous Chloride--prohibited
OtherCobaltous chloride is an inorganic compound containing cobalt that has been prohibited for use in food by the FDA. While cobalt is an essential trace element in vitamin B12, this specific salt form is not approved for direct food additive use due to safety concerns.
Coumarin--prohibited
FlavoringCoumarin is a naturally occurring aromatic compound found in plants like tonka beans and cinnamon that has been used as a flavoring agent. It is prohibited or severely restricted in food in most major markets, including the United States, due to hepatotoxicity concerns identified in animal studies.
Cyclamate--prohibited
SweetenerCyclamate is a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener approximately 30-40 times sweeter than sucrose. It was widely used in foods and beverages but has been prohibited in many countries due to regulatory concerns, despite limited evidence of direct human toxicity.
Dichlorodifluoromethane
OtherDichlorodifluoromethane (CFC-12) is a chlorofluorocarbon compound historically used as a refrigerant and freezing agent in food processing. It has been phased out in most countries due to ozone depletion concerns, though it was never approved as a direct food additive by the FDA.
Diethyl Pyrocarbonate-- Prohibited
Dough-conditionerDiethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) is a chemical dough conditioner that was used to strengthen bread dough and improve baking properties. It has been prohibited in most regulatory jurisdictions due to safety concerns, despite having no recorded adverse events in FDA databases.
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