Food Additives: US vs EU Safety Comparison
37 featured additives with full US-EU comparison, plus 3,940 additives from the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory.
US-EU Regulatory Divergence (21)
These additives have different regulatory status — approved in one region but banned, restricted, or under review in the other.
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Flour treatment agent / Dough conditioner
US
ApprovedEU
BannedBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
Antioxidant / Preservative
US
GRASEU
ApprovedBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
Antioxidant / Preservative
US
GRASEU
ApprovedCalcium Propionate
Preservative
US
GRASEU
ApprovedCarrageenan
Thickener / Stabilizer
US
GRASEU
ApprovedCitric Acid
Acidity regulator / Preservative
US
GRASEU
ApprovedErythritol
Sugar alcohol / Sweetener
US
GRASEU
ApprovedGreen 3 (Fast Green)
Color additive
US
ApprovedEU
BannedHigh Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
Sweetener
US
GRASEU
ApprovedLecithin
Emulsifier
US
GRASEU
ApprovedMono- and Diglycerides
Emulsifier
US
GRASEU
ApprovedMSG (Monosodium Glutamate)
Flavor enhancer
US
GRASEU
ApprovedPartially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)
Fat / Processing aid
US
BannedEU
RestrictedPotassium Bromate
Flour treatment agent
US
ApprovedEU
BannedPropylparaben
Preservative
US
GRASEU
BannedrBST (Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin)
Growth hormone (dairy)
US
ApprovedEU
BannedRed 3 (Erythrosine)
Color additive
US
BannedEU
ApprovedSodium Benzoate
Preservative
US
GRASEU
ApprovedSorbic Acid and Sorbates
Preservative
US
GRASEU
ApprovedStevia (Steviol Glycosides)
Natural sweetener
US
GRASEU
ApprovedTitanium Dioxide
Color additive
US
ApprovedEU
Banned
Same Status in Both Regions (16)
- Approved
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)
Artificial sweetener
- Approved
Aspartame
Artificial sweetener
- Approved
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue)
Color additive
- Approved
Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)
Color additive
- Banned
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Emulsifier / Stabilizer
- Approved
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifier
- Approved
Red 40 (Allura Red AC)
Color additive
- Approved
Saccharin
Artificial sweetener
- Approved
Sodium Nitrate
Preservative / Color fixative
- Approved
Sodium Nitrite
Preservative / Color fixative
- Approved
Sucralose
Artificial sweetener
- Approved
Sulfur Dioxide and Sulfites
Preservative / Antioxidant
- Approved
TBHQ (Tert-Butylhydroquinone)
Antioxidant / Preservative
- Approved
Xanthan Gum
Thickener / Stabilizer
- Approved
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
Color additive
- Approved
Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
Color additive
FDA Inventory (3,940)
Additives from the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory. EU comparison not yet available for these entries.
Showing 1,301–1,400 of 3,940
- BUTYL 2-DECENOATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ACETOACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ALCOHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- BUTYL ANTHRANILATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL BETA-(METHYLTHIO)ACRYLATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL BETA-NAPHTHYL ETHER— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL BUTYRYLLACTATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL CINNAMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ETHYL DISULFIDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ETHYL MALONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL FORMATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL HEPTANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL HEXANOATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ISOBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ISOTHIOCYANATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL ISOVALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL LACTATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL LAURATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL LEVULINATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL OLEATE SULFATE
- BUTYL P-HYDROXYBENZOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL PHENYLACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL PROPIONATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL SALICYLATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL STEARATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID
- BUTYL SULFIDE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYL VALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYLAMINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYRALDEHYDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYRAMIDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- BUTYRIC ACID— ANTIOXIDANT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT
- CADINENE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAFFEINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAJEPUT, OIL (MELALEUCA LEUCADENDRON L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CALAMUS EXTRACT--PROHIBITED
- CALAMUS OIL--PROHIBITED— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CALAMUS--PROHIBITED— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CALCIUM ACETATE— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> SEQUESTRANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CALCIUM ASCORBATE— ANTIOXIDANT
- CALCIUM BENZOATE— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT
- CALCIUM BROMATE— DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT
- CALCIUM CAPRATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM CAPRYLATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM CARBONATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- CALCIUM CASEINATE— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CALCIUM CHLORIDE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> ENZYME,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FREEZING OR COOLING AGENT,<br /> DIRECT CONTACT,<br /> FUMIGANT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING
- CALCIUM CITRATE— FIRMING AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> SEQUESTRANT
- CALCIUM CYCLAMATE--PROHIBITED— NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER
- CALCIUM DIGLUTAMATE
- CALCIUM FUMARATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- CALCIUM GLUCONATE— FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> SEQUESTRANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CALCIUM GLYCEROPHOSPHATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALCIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE— SEQUESTRANT
- CALCIUM HYDROXIDE— FIRMING AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- CALCIUM HYPOPHOSPHITE— ANTIOXIDANT
- CALCIUM IODATE— DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> FLOUR TREATING AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- CALCIUM LACTATE— DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALCIUM LACTOBIONATE— FIRMING AGENT
- CALCIUM LAURATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM LIGNOSULFONATE— SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- CALCIUM MYRISTATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM OLEATE— STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALCIUM OXIDE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CALCIUM PALMITATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, CALCIUM CHLORIDE DOUBLE SALT— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- CALCIUM PEROXIDE— DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> FLOUR TREATING AGENT,<br /> OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT,<br /> SEQUESTRANT
- CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, DIBASIC— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, MONOBASIC— DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLOUR TREATING AGENT,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> SEQUESTRANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, TRIBASIC— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CALCIUM PHYTATE
- CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- CALCIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM SILICATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- CALCIUM SORBATE— PRESERVATIVE
- CALCIUM STEARATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALCIUM STEAROYL-2-LACTYLATE— DOUGH STRENGTHENER,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CALCIUM SULFATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LEAVENING AGENT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CALUMBA ROOT (JATRORRHIZA PALMATA (LAM.) MIERS)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CALUMBA ROOT, EXTRACT (JATRORRHIZA PALMATA (LAM.) MIERS)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAMPHENE— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAMPHOLENE ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAMPHOR OIL, FORMOSAN HO-SHO, LEAVES (CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAMPHOR, JAPANESE, WHITE, OIL (CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA (L.) NEES ET EBERM.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CANANGA, OIL (CANANGA ODORATA HOOK. F. AND THOMS.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CANDELILLA WAX (WAX FROM STEMS AND BRANCHES OF EUPHORBIA CERIFERA)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT
- CANDIDA GUILLIERMONDII— PROCESSING AID
- CANDIDA LIPOLYTICA
- CANTHAXANTHIN— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT
- CAPERS (CAPPARIS SPINOSA L.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAPROLACTAM— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAPSICUM (CAPSICUM SPP.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAPSICUM EXTRACT (CAPSICUM SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CAPSICUM, OLEORESIN (CAPSICUM SPP.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARAMEL— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- CARAWAY (CARUM CARVI L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARAWAY, BLACK (NIGELLA SATIVA L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARAWAY, OIL (CARUM CARVI L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT