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 1,401–1,500 of 3,940
- CARBOHYDRASE AND CELLULASE FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER— PROCESSING AID
- CARBOHYDRASE AND PROTEASE, MIXTURE, FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS— ENZYME
- CARBOHYDRASE FROM ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE
- CARBOHYDRASE FROM BACILLUS AMYLOLIQUEFACIENS— ENZYME
- CARBOHYDRASE FROM BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS— ENZYME
- CARBOHYDRASE FROM BACILLUS SUBTILIS— ENZYME
- CARBOHYDRASE FROM RHIZOPUS ORYZAE— PROCESSING AID
- CARBOHYDRASE FROM SACCHAROMYCES SPP.— ENZYME
- CARBOHYDRASE/PROTEINASE PREPARATION, BACILLUS LICHENIFORMIS— ENZYME
- CARBON DIOXIDE— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT,<br /> ANTIOXIDANT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> FREEZING OR COOLING AGENT,<br /> DIRECT CONTACT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> PROPELLANT,<br /> SOLVENT
- CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- CARBOXYMETHYL CELLULOSE, SODIUM SALT— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CARBOXYMETHYL HYDROXYETHYL CELLULOSE— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARDAMOM (ELLETARIA CARDAMOMUM (L.) MATON)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARDAMOM OLEORESIN— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARDAMOM SEED, OIL (ELLETARIA CARDAMOMUM (L.) MATON)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARMINE (COCCUS CACTI L.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARNAUBA WAX (COPERNICIA CERIFERA (ARRUDA) MART.)— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT
- CAROB BEAN, EXTRACT (CERATONIA SILIQUA L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARRAGEENAN— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CARRAGEENAN AND SALTS OF CARRAGEENAN— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN SALTS WITH POLYSORBATE 80— DRYING AGENT
- CARRAGEENAN WITH POLYSORBATE 80— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, AMMONIUM SALT OF— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, AMMONIUM SALT OF, WITH POLYSORBATE 80— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, CALCIUM SALT OF— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, CALCIUM SALT OF, WITH POLYSORBATE 80— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, POTASSIUM SALT OF— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, POTASSIUM SALT OF, WITH POLYSORBATE 80— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, SODIUM SALT OF— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARRAGEENAN, SODIUM SALT OF, WITH POLYSORBATE 80— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CARROT, OIL (DAUCUS CAROTA L.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVACROL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVACRYL ETHYL ETHER— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVEOL— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVOMENTHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVONE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVYL ACETATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVYL PALMITATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARVYL PROPIONATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARYOPHYLLENE ALCOHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CARYOPHYLLENE ALCOHOL ACETATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASCARA, BITTERLESS, EXTRACT (RHAMNUS PURSHIANA DC.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASCARILLA BARK, EXTRACT (CROTON SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASCARILLA BARK, OIL (CROTON SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASEIN— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- CASSIA BUDS (CINNAMOMUM CASSIA BLUME)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASSIE, ABSOLUTE (ACACIA FARNESIANA (L.) WILLD.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASTOR OIL (RICINUS COMMUNIS L.)— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- CASTOREUM, EXTRACT (CASTOR SPP.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CASTOREUM, LIQUID (CASTOR SPP.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CATALASE FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT,<br /> ENZYME,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- CATALASE FROM BOVINE LIVER— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT,<br /> ENZYME,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- CATALASE FROM PENICILLIUM NOTATUM— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT,<br /> ENZYME,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- CATECHU, BLACK, EXTRACT (ACACIA CATECHU WILLD.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CATECHU, BLACK, POWDER (ACACIA CATECHU WILLD.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CEDAR LEAF, OIL (THUJA OCCIDENTALIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CEDARWOOD OIL ALCOHOLS— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CEDARWOOD OIL TERPENES— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CEDRYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CELERY SEED (APIUM GRAVEOLENS L.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CELERY SEED, EXTRACT (APIUM GRAVEOLENS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CELERY SEED, EXTRACT SOLID (APIUM GRAVEOLENS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CELERY SEED, OIL (APIUM GRAVEOLENS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- CELERY SEED, OLEORESIN— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CELLULASE FROM TRICHODERMA LONGIBRACHIATUM— ENZYME
- CELLULOSE ACETATE— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CELLULOSE TRIACETATE
- CELLULOSE, DIETHYLAMINOETHYL
- CELLULOSE, METHYL— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CELLULOSE, METHYL ETHYL— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> PROPELLANT
- CELLULOSE, MICROCRYSTALLINE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- CENTAURY (CENTAURIUM UMBELLATUM GILIB.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CEREAL SOLIDS, HYDROLYZED— SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- CETYL ALCOHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHAMOMILE FLOWER (ANTHEMIS NOBILIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHAMOMILE FLOWER (MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L.)
- CHAMOMILE FLOWER, HUNGARIAN, OIL (MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHAMOMILE FLOWER, OIL (ANTHEMIS NOBILIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHAMOMILE FLOWER, ROMAN, EXTRACT (ANTHEMIS NOBILIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHAR SMOKE FLAVOR— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERRY BARK, WILD, EXTRACT (PRUNUS SEROTINA EHRH.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERRY LAUREL, OIL (PRUNUS LAUROCERASUS L.) (FFPA)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERRY PITS, EXTRACT (PRUNUS SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERRY-LAUREL LEAVES (PRUNUS LAUROCERASUS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERRY-LAUREL WATER (PRUNUS LAUROCERASUS L.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERVIL (ANTHRISCUS CEREFOLIUM (L.) HOFFM.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHERVIL, EXTRACT (ANTHRISCUS CEREFOLIUM L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHESTNUT LEAVES (CASTANEA DENTATA (MARSH.) BORKH.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHESTNUT LEAVES, EXTRACT (CASTANEA DENTATA (MARSH.) BORKH.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHESTNUT LEAVES, EXTRACT SOLID (CASTANEA DENTATA (MARSH.) BORKH.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHICLE (MANILKARA ZAPOTILLA GILLY AND M. CHICLE GILLY)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- CHICLE, VENEZUELAN (MANILKARA WILLIAMSII STANDLEY AND RELATED SPP.)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- CHICORY, EXTRACT (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHILTE (CNIDOSCOLUS (ALSO KNOWN AS JATROPHA) SPP.)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- CHIQUIBUL (MANILKARA ZAPOTILLA GILLY)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- CHIRATA (SWERTIA CHIRATA BUCH.-HAM.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHIRATA, EXTRACT (SWERTIA CHIRATA BUCH.-HAM.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHIVES (ALLIUM SCHOENOPRASUM L.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- CHLORINE— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT,<br /> FUMIGANT,<br /> OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT