Food Additives to Avoid
49 substances flagged for significant concerns — banned in at least one country or under active regulatory review.
Showing 25–48 of 49 avoid additives
Disodium Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate
OtherDisodium ethylenebisdithiocarbamate is a dithiocarbamate compound used as an antimicrobial agent in food preservation. It functions by inhibiting microbial growth and is not currently approved as a food additive by the FDA in the United States.
Dulcin--prohibited
SweetenerDulcin is a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener that was used in food products during the early-to-mid 20th century. It has been prohibited in most countries, including the United States, due to safety concerns identified in animal studies.
Ethylene Dichloride
OtherEthylene Dichloride (EDC), also known as 1,2-dichloroethane, is a colorless liquid primarily used as a solvent and a chemical intermediate in the production of vinyl chloride monomer. While not approved as a direct food additive, it has a history of use as a fumigant for stored grains, a practice that has been largely phased out or banned due to significant toxicity concerns.
Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether
SolventEthylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether, also known as 2-ethoxyethanol or EGMEE, is an organic chemical primarily recognized as a solvent. While it possesses properties that could classify it as a formulation aid or vehicle, it is not approved for direct use as a food additive. Its principal applications are found in industrial sectors, notably in paints, coatings, and cleaning products.
Ethylene Oxide--nlfg
OtherEthylene oxide is a highly reactive chemical compound primarily used as a sterilant for medical devices and as a fumigant for industrial purposes. While historically employed for sterilizing certain food commodities like spices, its direct use as a food additive or for fumigation of most food products is severely restricted or banned in many regions due to significant health concerns.
Fd&c Green No. 1--delisted
OtherFD&C Green No. 1 was a synthetic colorant previously used in food products to impart green coloring. It was delisted by the FDA and is no longer permitted for use in food in the United States.
Fd&c Red No. 1--delisted
OtherFD&C Red No. 1 was a synthetic azo dye formerly used as a food colorant in the United States. It was delisted by the FDA in 1976 due to safety concerns and is no longer permitted in food products.
Fd&c Red No. 2--delisted
OtherFD&C Red No. 2 was a synthetic azo dye used as a red colorant in food products throughout the mid-20th century. It was delisted by the FDA in 1976 due to safety concerns and is no longer permitted in food.
Fd&c Red No. 3, Aluminum Lake--delisted
OtherFD&C Red No. 3, Aluminum Lake is a synthetic colorant that was delisted from FDA approval in 2024. It was previously used in food and cosmetics to provide red coloring, though its exact mechanism of action in modern formulations remains unclear.
Fd&c Red No. 4--delisted
OtherFD&C Red No. 4 is a synthetic azo dye that was previously used as a food colorant in the United States. The additive was delisted by the FDA in 1976 due to safety concerns, and is no longer permitted in food products.
Fd&c Violet No. 1--delisted
OtherFD&C Violet No. 1 is a synthetic colorant that was delisted from FDA approval and is no longer permitted in food products. It was historically used as a food dye before being removed from the approved color additives list.
Formaldehyde
OtherFormaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) is a colorless gas used as a fumigant in food processing to control microbial contamination. It is not approved as a direct food additive by the FDA but may be used in specific agricultural and food storage applications under strict regulatory guidelines.
Glutaraldehyde
OtherGlutaraldehyde (CAS 111-30-8) is a five-carbon dialdehyde compound primarily used as an oxidizing or reducing agent in food processing. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and has no GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for food applications.
Hydrazine
OtherHydrazine (CAS 302-01-2) is a colorless, flammable chemical compound primarily used in industrial applications such as rocket fuel and water treatment. Its function in food, if any, remains undocumented in available literature.
Hydrogen Sulfide
FlavoringHydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a colorless gas with a distinctive rotten egg odor used as a flavoring agent in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe).
M-cresol
FlavoringM-cresol (3-methylphenol) is an organic compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA under GRAS status and has limited use in modern food manufacturing.
Magnesium Cyclamate--prohibited
SweetenerMagnesium cyclamate is a non-nutritive artificial sweetener derived from cyclamic acid. It was used as a sugar substitute in food and beverages but has been prohibited in many countries due to regulatory decisions, despite limited evidence of direct harm in humans.
Methyl Methacrylate
FlavoringMethyl methacrylate (MMA) is an organic compound used as a flavoring agent or adjuvant in food manufacturing. It is not approved as a direct food additive by the FDA and is not listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for food use.
Methylene Chloride
ColorantMethylene chloride (CAS 75-09-2) is a volatile organic solvent historically used in food processing, particularly for decaffeinating coffee and tea. It is no longer approved for use in food in the United States and most other countries due to health and safety concerns.
Monochloroacetic Acid--prohibited With Exceptions
OtherMonochloroacetic acid (MCA) is a halogenated organic compound used as an antimicrobial agent in food processing. It is prohibited in most food applications by the FDA, with only limited exceptions for specific uses under strict conditions.
Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid--prohibited With Exceptions
AntioxidantNordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant compound that has been used to prevent oxidation and rancidity in foods. Due to safety concerns identified in animal studies, it is prohibited in most food applications in the United States, though limited exceptions exist for certain uses.
O-cresol
FlavoringO-cresol, also known as 2-methylphenol, is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the cresol family. While naturally present in some foods, it is listed as a potential flavoring agent or adjuvant. However, it is not generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA, and European food safety authorities have raised significant concerns regarding its use as a flavoring substance.
P-4000--prohibited
SweetenerP-4000 is a non-nutritive synthetic sweetener that was developed as a sugar substitute for food and beverage applications. It has not been approved by the FDA and remains prohibited from use in food products in the United States.
Phenol
FlavoringPhenol (CAS 108-95-2) is an aromatic organic compound used as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not designated as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for food use.
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