Food Additives to Avoid
81 substances flagged for significant concerns — banned in at least one country or under active regulatory review.
Showing 49–72 of 81 avoid additives
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
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
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
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
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.
Polyacrylic Acid, Sodium Salt
OtherPolyacrylic acid, sodium salt is a synthetic polymer used primarily as a boiler water treatment chemical and surface cleaning agent. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and is not intended for direct food use.
Polyethylenimine Reaction Product W/ 1,2-dichloroethane
OtherPolyethylenimine Reaction Product With 1,2-dichloroethane (CAS 68130-97-2) is a synthetic chemical compound used as an oxidizing or reducing agent in food processing. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and has not been authorized for direct food use in major regulatory jurisdictions.
Potassium Bromate
LeaveningPotassium bromate is an inorganic salt used as a flour treating agent and dough strengthener in baking. It oxidizes gluten proteins to improve dough elasticity, gas retention, and bread volume, and is permitted as a food additive in the United States under FDA GRAS status.
Potassium Cyclamate
SweetenerPotassium cyclamate is a synthetic non-nutritive sweetener that was used as a sugar substitute in food and beverages. It has been prohibited in the United States since 1969 due to safety concerns identified in animal studies, though regulatory status varies internationally.
Potassium Permanganate
EmulsifierPotassium permanganate (CAS 7722-64-7) is a potassium salt of permanganic acid used in food processing as an anticaking agent, free-flow agent, and formulation aid. It functions to prevent caking in powdered foods and improve product flow characteristics.
Propyl P-hydroxybenzoate
FlavoringPropyl P-hydroxybenzoate (propylparaben) is a synthetic antimicrobial preservative and flavoring agent used in food products to inhibit microbial growth and extend shelf life. It belongs to the paraben family of preservatives and is utilized primarily in beverages, baked goods, and processed foods.
Propylene Oxide
OtherPropylene oxide (CAS 75-56-9) is a chemical compound that has been used historically as a sterilizing agent and fumigant in food processing. Its function in modern food applications remains unclear, and it is not currently approved by the FDA for use as a food additive.
Pulegone
FlavoringPulegone is a naturally occurring monoterpene ketone found in pennyroyal and other mint plants, used as a flavoring agent in food products. It is not approved by the FDA as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substance and has limited regulatory acceptance in food applications.
Pyridine
FlavoringPyridine is a heterocyclic aromatic 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 on the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) list.
Rue, Oil (ruta Graveolens L.)
FlavoringRue oil is an essential oil extracted from the rue plant (Ruta graveolens L.) and is used as a flavoring agent in food products. While historically employed in traditional cuisine, it is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and has limited regulatory acceptance in food manufacturing.
Safrole
FlavoringSafrole is a naturally occurring organic compound found in sassafras and other plants, historically used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages. It has been prohibited in food products by the FDA due to safety concerns identified in animal studies.
Serpentaria (aristolochia Serpentaria L.)
OtherSerpentaria (Aristolochia serpentaria L.) is a plant-derived substance whose function as a food additive remains unknown. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA and has no established safety history in food use.
Silver Nitrate
OtherSilver nitrate (AgNO₃) is an inorganic chemical compound containing silver and nitrogen. Its function in food applications remains unclear, and it is not approved as a food additive by the FDA.
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