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 2,201–2,300 of 3,940
- GLUTAMIC ACID HYDROCHLORIDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- GLUTARALDEHYDE— OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT
- GLUTEN, GUM— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- GLYCERIN— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- GLYCERIN, SYNTHETIC— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- GLYCEROL TRIBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- GLYCERYL 5-HYDROXYDECANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GLYCERYL 5-HYDROXYDODECANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GLYCERYL BEHENATE— FORMULATION AID
- GLYCERYL LACTOOLEATE— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID
- GLYCERYL LACTOPALMITATE— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID
- GLYCERYL MONOOLEATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> HUMECTANT
- GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- GLYCERYL PALMITOSTEARATE— FORMULATION AID
- GLYCERYL TRIBENZOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GLYCERYL TRIPROPANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- GLYCERYL TRISTEARATE— FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT
- GLYCERYL-LACTO ESTERS OF FATTY ACIDS— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT
- GLYCINE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- GLYCOCHOLIC ACID— PH CONTROL AGENT
- GLYCYRRHIZIN, AMMONIATED (GLYCYRRHIZA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAINS OF PARADISE (AFRAMOMUM MELEGUETA (ROSC.) K. SCHUM.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPE COLOR EXTRACT— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT
- GRAPE ESSENCE, NATURAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPE SEED EXTRACT— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPE SKIN EXTRACT— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPEFRUIT ESSENCE, NATURAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPEFRUIT OIL, CONC.— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPEFRUIT, EXTRACT
- GRAPEFRUIT, JUICE
- GRAPEFRUIT, OIL (CITRUS PARADISI MACF.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GRAPEFRUIT, OIL, TERPENELESS (CITRUS PARADISI)
- GROUND LIMESTONE
- GUAIAC GUM (GUAIACUM SPP.)— ANTIOXIDANT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIAC GUM, EXTRACT (GUAIACUM SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIAC WOOD, EXTRACT (GUAIACUM SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIAC WOOD, OIL (GUAIACUM SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIACOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIACOL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIACOL PROPIONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIACYL ACETATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIACYL ISOBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIACYL PHENYLACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIENE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAIOL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAR, GUM (CYAMOPSIS TETRAGONOLOBUS (L.))— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- GUARANA SEED, EXTRACT— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUARANA, GUM (PAULLINIA CUPANA HBK)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAVA (PSIDIUM SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- GUAVA EXTRACT
- GUM ARABIC, HYDROGEN OCTENYLBUTANE DIOATE— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- GUTTA HANG KANG (PALAQUIUM LEIOCARPUM BOERL. AND P. OBLONGIFOLIUM BURCK.)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- HAEMATOCOCCUS ALGAE MEAL— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT
- HAW BARK, BLACK, EXTRACT (VIBURNUM PRUNIFOLIUM L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HELIOPSIS LONGIPES EXTRACT— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HELIUM— PROCESSING AID
- HEMLOCK (TSUGA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEMLOCK NEEDLES AND TWIGS, OIL (TSUGA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPT-2-EN-1-YL ISOVALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPT-TRANS-2-EN-1-YL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTANAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTANAL DIMETHYL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTANAL GLYCERYL ACETAL (MIXED 1,2 AND 1,3 ACETALS)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTANAL PROPYLENEGLYCOL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTANE-1-THIOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTANOIC ACID— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL ALCOHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL CINNAMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL FORMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL HEPTANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL ISOBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYL OCTANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEPTYLPARABEN— ANTIOXIDANT
- HESPERIDIN— FLAVOR ENHANCER
- HEXADECYL LACTATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXANAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXANAL BUTANE-2,3-DIOL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXANAL DIHEXYL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXANAL HEXYL ISOAMYL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXANAL OCTANE-1,3-DIOL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXANE— SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- HEXANOIC ACID— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL 2-FUROATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL 2-METHYL-3(OR 4)-PENTENOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL 2-METHYLBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL 3-MERCAPTOBUTANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL ALCOHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL BENZOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL DECANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL FORMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL HEPTANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL HEXANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL ISOBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL ISOTHIOCYANATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL ISOVALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- HEXYL NONANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT