Food Additives with Caution
107 substances where evidence suggests some concern — limited data, conflicting studies, or restrictions in certain countries.
Showing 25–48 of 107 caution additives
Carrageenan, Ammonium Salt Of, With Polysorbate 80
EmulsifierCarrageenan, ammonium salt of, with polysorbate 80 is a modified carrageenan emulsifier combining natural seaweed-derived carrageenan with polysorbate 80 to improve texture and stability in food products. It functions as both an emulsifier and thickening agent in various processed foods.
Carrageenan, Calcium Salt Of
EmulsifierCarrageenan, calcium salt of (also called calcium carrageenan) is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickening agent in food products. It helps maintain texture and prevent ingredient separation in dairy, meat, and beverage applications.
Carrageenan, Calcium Salt Of, With Polysorbate 80
EmulsifierCarrageenan, Calcium Salt Of, With Polysorbate 80 is a complex food additive combining carrageenan (a natural seaweed extract) with calcium salts and polysorbate 80 to function as an emulsifier and stabilizer. It is used in food formulations to improve texture, maintain stability, and prevent separation of ingredients.
Carrageenan, Potassium Salt Of
EmulsifierPotassium carrageenan is a natural thickening and stabilizing agent derived from red seaweed. It is widely used in food products to improve texture, maintain consistency, and prevent ingredient separation in dairy, meat, and beverage applications.
Carrageenan, Potassium Salt Of, With Polysorbate 80
EmulsifierCarrageenan, Potassium Salt Of, With Polysorbate 80 is a combination food additive that pairs carrageenan (a natural thickening agent derived from red seaweed) with polysorbate 80 (an emulsifier) to stabilize and improve texture in food products. This combination is used primarily in dairy, beverage, and processed food applications to prevent ingredient separation and maintain consistent product quality.
Carrageenan, Sodium Salt Of
FlavoringCarrageenan, sodium salt of (CAS 9061-82-9) is a naturally derived polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed that functions as a stabilizer, thickener, and flavoring agent in food products. It is widely used in the food industry to improve texture and consistency in various beverages and food formulations.
Carrageenan, Sodium Salt Of, With Polysorbate 80
EmulsifierCarrageenan, sodium salt of, with polysorbate 80 is a modified carrageenan compound combining the natural seaweed extract carrageenan with polysorbate 80 to enhance emulsifying and stabilizing properties. It is used in food products to improve texture, prevent separation, and maintain consistency in various formulations.
Cassia Buds (cinnamomum Cassia Blume)
FlavoringCassia Buds (Cinnamomum Cassia Blume) are the dried, immature fruits of the cassia tree, known for their aromatic and pungent flavor. Primarily used as a flavoring agent or adjuvant in food, they impart a warm, spicy note characteristic of cassia cinnamon.
Citronella, Oil (cymbopogon Nardus Rendle)
FlavoringCitronella, Oil (cymbopogon Nardus Rendle) is a natural essential oil derived from citronella grass, characterized by a fresh, lemon-like, and grassy aroma. In the food industry, it is utilized as a flavoring agent or adjuvant to impart a distinct taste and fragrance to various products. While widely recognized for non-food applications, its use in food is typically in very small, carefully controlled concentrations.
Copper Sulfate
NutrientCopper sulfate (CAS 7758-98-7) is an inorganic compound used as a nutrient supplement and processing aid in food production. It provides bioavailable copper, an essential trace mineral required for various metabolic functions in humans.
Cyclohexylamine
OtherCyclohexylamine is an organic amine compound historically used as a boiler water additive in food processing equipment to prevent corrosion. It is not approved as a direct food additive by the FDA and does not appear in food products themselves.
Dehydroacetic Acid
OtherDehydroacetic acid (DHA) is a synthetic antimicrobial compound used to inhibit microbial growth in food products. It functions as a preservative to extend shelf life and maintain food safety by preventing bacterial and fungal contamination.
Elecampane Root, Oil (inula Helenium L.)
FlavoringElecampane Root, Oil (Inula helenium L.) is a natural flavoring agent derived from the roots and rhizomes of the elecampane plant. Primarily composed of sesquiterpene lactones, it is utilized in the food industry to impart distinct aromatic notes to various products. While not formally affirmed as GRAS by the FDA, its use as a flavoring has been evaluated by other expert panels.
Estragole
FlavoringEstragole (CAS 140-67-0) is a naturally occurring organic compound belonging to the phenylpropene family, commonly found in herbs like tarragon, anise, and basil. It is used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages to impart characteristic anise-like and licorice notes.
Ethoxyquin
AntioxidantEthoxyquin is a synthetic antioxidant used primarily in animal feed and some food applications to prevent fat oxidation and maintain nutritional quality. It is not approved as a food additive in the European Union and has limited approval in the United States.
Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether
OtherEthylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGMBE), also known as 2-Butoxyethanol, is a colorless organic solvent primarily used in industrial and commercial cleaning products. In the context of food, its function is as a washing or surface removal agent for cleaning food processing equipment and surfaces that come into contact with food, rather than as a direct food ingredient.
Ethylene Oxide/propylene Oxide Copolymer
StabilizerEthylene Oxide/propylene Oxide Copolymer (CAS 9003-11-6) is a synthetic polymer functioning as a stabilizer, thickener, drying agent, and surface-active agent in various applications. In food contexts, it can act as a dough strengthener or emulsifier, improving texture and stability. While possessing these functional properties, it is not currently listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. FDA for food use.
Ethylenediamine
OtherEthylenediamine is a colorless organic chemical compound classified as a diamine. While it has extensive industrial applications, its specified function within a food additive context is as a tracer, indicating its potential use to monitor or track substances or processes. However, ethylenediamine itself is not listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA, nor is it an approved direct food additive in the U.S. or E.U.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Disodium Salt
FlavoringEthylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Disodium Salt, also known as disodium EDTA (Na2EDTA), is a synthetic compound primarily recognized for its chelating properties, meaning it can bind to metal ions. While other forms of EDTA are commonly used as sequestrants or stabilizers, this specific compound is categorized as a flavoring agent or adjuvant in food, where it helps maintain desired flavor profiles by preventing metallic-ion-catalyzed degradation.
FD&C Blue No. 1
ColorantFD&C Blue No. 1 is a synthetic colorant approved by the FDA for use in foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. It is primarily used to impart blue coloring to a wide range of consumer products and has no reported adverse events or recalls in the FDA database.
FD&C Blue No. 1, Aluminum Lake
ColorantFD&C Blue No. 1, Aluminum Lake is a synthetic colorant consisting of FD&C Blue No. 1 dye adsorbed onto an aluminum hydroxide substrate. It is used to impart blue coloring to a wide range of food products and beverages.
FD&C Blue No. 1, Calcium Lake
ColorantFD&C Blue No. 1, Calcium Lake is the calcium salt form of FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue), a synthetic blue colorant approved by the FDA for use in food and beverages. It provides stable blue coloring in a variety of food products and is widely used in confectionery, beverages, and other processed foods.
FD&C Blue No. 2
ColorantFD&C Blue No. 2, also known as indigo carmine, is a synthetic blue colorant approved by the FDA for use in foods, beverages, and drugs. It is used to impart or enhance blue coloring in various food products and has no recorded adverse events or recalls in FDA databases.
FD&C Blue No. 2, Aluminum Lake
ColorantFD&C Blue No. 2, Aluminum Lake is a blue colorant used in food products, consisting of FD&C Blue No. 2 dye adsorbed onto an aluminum hydroxide substrate. It provides stable coloring in various processed foods and beverages.
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