Food Additives to Avoid

Dichlorodifluoromethane

Dichlorodifluoromethane (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.

CAS 75-71-8View

Diethyl Pyrocarbonate

Dough-conditioner

Diethyl 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.

CAS 1609-47-8View

Disodium Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate

Disodium 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.

CAS 142-59-6View

Dulcin

Sweetener

Dulcin 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.

CAS 150-69-6View

Ethylene Dichloride

Ethylene 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.

CAS 107-06-2View

Ethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether

Solvent

Ethylene 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.

CAS 110-80-5View

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene 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.

CAS 75-21-8View

FD&C Green No. 1

FD&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.

CAS 4680-78-8View

FD&C Red No. 1

FD&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.

CAS 3564-09-8View

FD&C Red No. 2

FD&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.

CAS 915-67-3View

FD&C Red No. 3, Aluminum Lake

FD&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.

CAS 12227-78-0View

FD&C Red No. 4

FD&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.

CAS 4548-53-2View

FD&C Red No. 40

FD&C Red No. 40, also known as Allura Red AC, is a synthetic azo dye approved by the FDA as a food colorant. It is widely used to impart red and pink hues to beverages, candies, baked goods, and other processed foods.

CAS 25956-17-6View

FD&C Red No. 40, Aluminum Lake

FD&C Red No. 40, Aluminum Lake is a synthetic colorant created by combining FD&C Red No. 40 dye with aluminum hydroxide. It is widely used in the food industry to impart red coloring to beverages, candies, baked goods, and other processed foods.

CAS 977154-53-2View

FD&C Red No. 40, Calcium Lake

FD&C Red No. 40, Calcium Lake is the calcium salt form of FD&C Red No. 40 (Allura Red AC), a synthetic azo dye used as a colorant in food products. It provides a bright red color to beverages, candies, baked goods, and other processed foods.

CAS 977011-17-8View

FD&C Violet No. 1

FD&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.

CAS 1694-09-3View

FD&C Yellow No. 5

FD&C Yellow No. 5, also known as tartrazine, is a synthetic azo dye approved by the FDA as a food colorant. It is widely used to impart yellow or greenish hues to beverages, baked goods, confections, and other processed foods.

CAS 1934-21-0View

FD&C Yellow No. 5, Aluminum Lake

FD&C Yellow No. 5, Aluminum Lake is a synthetic colorant made by combining FD&C Yellow No. 5 dye with aluminum hydroxide. It is used in food products to provide yellow coloring and is approved by the FDA for use in specified food categories.

CAS 12225-21-7View

FD&C Yellow No. 5, Calcium Lake

FD&C Yellow No. 5, Calcium Lake is a yellow colorant used in food and beverages to enhance visual appeal. It is the calcium salt form of FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), designed for applications where a lake pigment is preferred over the water-soluble dye.

CAS 977011-18-9View

FD&C Yellow No. 6

FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) is a synthetic azo dye colorant approved by the FDA for use in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. It is primarily used to impart yellow to orange coloring in processed foods and is one of the most widely used synthetic food dyes in North America.

CAS 2783-94-0View

FD&C Yellow No. 6, Aluminum Lake

FD&C Yellow No. 6, Aluminum Lake is a synthetic colorant derived from FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) bonded to aluminum hydroxide. It is used primarily to provide yellow coloring to food and beverage products.

CAS 15790-07-5View

FD&C Yellow No. 6, Calcium Lake

FD&C Yellow No. 6, Calcium Lake is a synthetic colorant approved by the FDA for use in food products to provide yellow coloring. It is the calcium salt form of FD&C Yellow No. 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) and is used to enhance the visual appeal of various food and beverage products.

CAS 977083-04-7View

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde (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.

CAS 50-00-0View

Glutaraldehyde