Food Additives with Caution
107 substances where evidence suggests some concern — limited data, conflicting studies, or restrictions in certain countries.
Showing 49–72 of 107 caution additives
FD&C Blue No. 2, Calcium Lake
ColorantFD&C Blue No. 2, Calcium Lake is a synthetic colorant approved by the FDA for use in foods and beverages to provide blue coloring. It is the calcium salt form of FD&C Blue No. 2 (Indigo Carmine) and is used to achieve consistent blue hues in various food products.
FD&C Green No. 3
ColorantFD&C Green No. 3 is a synthetic colorant approved by the FDA for use in food, drugs, and cosmetics. It is used to impart a green color to various food products and is one of the few approved green food dyes available in the United States.
FD&C Green No. 3, Aluminum Lake
ColorantFD&C Green No. 3, Aluminum Lake is a synthetic colorant derived from FD&C Green No. 3 (also called Fast Green FCF) combined with aluminum salts to create a lake form. It is used in food products to provide green coloring and is FDA-approved for use in specific food categories.
FD&C Green No. 3, Calcium Lake
ColorantFD&C Green No. 3, Calcium Lake is a synthetic colorant derived from triphenylmethane dyes, used to impart green coloring to food and beverage products. It is the calcium salt form of FD&C Green No. 3 and functions as a color additive in the food industry.
FD&C Red No. 3
ColorantFD&C Red No. 3, also known as erythrosine, is a synthetic red colorant derived from fluorescein. It is used in food and beverages to provide a bright red or pink color and has been employed in the food industry for decades.
Formic Acid
FlavoringFormic acid (CAS 64-18-6) is a naturally occurring organic acid used as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer in food products. It functions as a formulation aid in the food industry, though it is not currently listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.
Garlic Extract
FlavoringGarlic extract (CAS 8008-99-9) is a concentrated flavoring derived from garlic bulbs, used to impart garlic flavor to food products. It functions as a flavoring agent and taste adjuvant in various processed foods, beverages, and seasonings.
Germander, Chamaedrys (teucrium Chamaedrys L.)
FlavoringGermander (Teucrium chamaedrys L.) is a plant-derived flavoring agent used to add herbal notes to food and beverages. While not GRAS-approved by the FDA, it has generated no adverse event reports or recalls in the United States food supply.
Grape Seed Extract
FlavoringGrape Seed Extract is a natural flavoring agent derived from grape seeds, containing polyphenolic compounds that contribute to taste and potential antioxidant properties. It is used in the food industry primarily as a flavoring adjuvant in beverages, supplements, and processed foods.
Isobutyl Alcohol
FlavoringIsobutyl alcohol (2-methylpropan-1-ol) is a four-carbon alcohol used as a flavoring agent and solvent in food manufacturing. Though not designated as GRAS by the FDA, it appears in certain food applications where it contributes fruity and solvent-like flavor notes.
Isopropyl Alcohol
FlavoringIsopropyl alcohol (also known as isopropanol) is a colorless, flammable liquid solvent with disinfectant properties. In food production, it functions as a solvent and flavoring agent adjuvant, though its use in food is limited and not approved as a direct food additive by the FDA.
L-arginine
NutrientL-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid used as a nutrient supplement in food and beverage products. It plays important roles in protein synthesis, immune function, and nitric oxide production in the body.
L-glutamine
FlavoringL-glutamine is a naturally occurring amino acid used in food as a flavor enhancer and nutrient supplement. It functions to improve taste profiles and provide amino acid supplementation in various food and beverage products.
Methyl Alcohol
SolventMethyl alcohol (methanol) is a simple alcohol used as a solvent and vehicle in food manufacturing. While it does not have FDA GRAS status for direct food use, it may be present in trace amounts in certain food processing applications.
Methyl Mercaptan
FlavoringMethyl mercaptan is an organic sulfur compound used as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer in food products. It is naturally present in some foods and contributes characteristic savory, meaty, and sulfurous notes to various culinary applications.
Musk Ambrette
FlavoringMusk Ambrette (CAS 83-66-9) is a synthetic aromatic compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It belongs to the class of polycyclic musks and is employed to impart musky, ambery flavor notes in various food and beverage applications.
Naphtha
SolventNaphtha is a petroleum-derived solvent used in food processing to extract and dissolve various compounds. It functions as a vehicle in food manufacturing but is not approved by the FDA for direct food use.
Nickel
OtherNickel (CAS 7440-02-0) is a naturally occurring metallic element that may be present in food as a processing aid or contaminant. It is not intentionally added to foods as a direct ingredient but can be introduced through food processing equipment and contact surfaces.
Olestra
OtherOlestra is a synthetic fat substitute engineered to provide the taste and texture of dietary fat while being non-caloric and non-absorbable by the human body. It was developed as a replacement for traditional fats in fried and baked foods to reduce caloric intake.
Orange B
ColorantOrange B (CAS 15139-76-1) is a synthetic azo dye used as a food colorant to impart orange hues to food products. It was historically used in limited applications but has been largely phased out in most markets due to regulatory restrictions.
P-cresol
FlavoringP-cresol is an organic compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It occurs naturally in small amounts in foods like coffee and fermented products, and is synthetically produced for use as a flavor ingredient in various food applications.
Pennyroyal, Oil, American (hedeoma Pulegiodes (l.))
FlavoringPennyroyal oil, American (Hedeoma pulegioides) is a volatile essential oil derived from American pennyroyal plant, used as a flavoring agent in food products. Due to toxicity concerns associated with pulegone, a primary constituent, it is not approved by the FDA as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) and has limited use in commercial food applications.
Pennyroyal, Oil, European (mentha Pulegium L.)
FlavoringPennyroyal oil, European (Mentha pulegium L.) is a volatile essential oil used as a flavoring agent in food products. Despite its traditional use in beverages and confections, it is not recognized as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA and has limited approved applications in food.
Petroleum Hydrocarbons, Odorless, Light
SolventPetroleum Hydrocarbons, Odorless, Light (also known as mineral oil or liquid paraffin) is a highly refined petroleum-derived solvent used in food processing as a vehicle or solvent. It is primarily used in flavoring applications and food manufacturing, though its use is restricted in many countries.
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