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 2,501–2,600 of 3,940
- L-MENTHONE 1,2-GLYCEROL KETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-MENTHYL (R,S)-3-HYDROXYBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-MENTHYL 1,2-PROPYLENE GLYCOL CARBONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-MENTHYL ACETOACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-MENTHYL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-MENTHYL ETHYLENE GLYCOL CARBONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-MENTHYL LACTATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-METHIONINE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-METHIONYLGLYCINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-ORNITHINE MONOCHLOROHYDRATE/ORNITHINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-PHENYLALANINE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-PIPERITONE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-PROLINE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-RHAMNOSE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- L-SERINE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-THREONINE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-TRYPTOPHAN— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-TYROSINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- L-TYROSINE ETHYL ESTER HYDROCHLORIDE
- L-VALINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- LABDANUM, ABSOLUTE (CISTUS SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LABDANUM, OIL (CISTUS SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LABDANUM, OLEORESIN (CISTUS SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LACTALBUMIN— FORMULATION AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT
- LACTALBUMIN PHOSPHATE
- LACTASE FROM SACCHAROMYCES (KLUYVEROMYCES) LACTIS— ENZYME
- LACTASE FROM SACCHAROMYCES FRAGILIS— ENZYME
- LACTASE PREPARATION, CANDIDA PSEUDOTROPICALIS— ENZYME
- LACTIC ACID— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT,<br /> CURING OR PICKLING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- LACTOSE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- LACTOSE, HYDROLYZED— NUTRITIVE SWEETENER
- LACTYLATED FATTY ACID ESTERS OF GLYCEROL AND PROPYLENE GLYCOL— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- LACTYLIC ESTERS OF FATTY ACIDS— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- LANOLIN— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- LARD— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- LARD OIL— SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- LAUREL BERRIES (LAURUS NOBILIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAURIC ACID— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
- LAURIC ALDEHYDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAUROYL DIETHANOLAMIDE— WASHING OR SURFACE REMOVAL AGENT
- LAURYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAURYL ALCOHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVANDIN ABSOLUTE
- LAVANDIN, CONCRETE
- LAVANDIN, OIL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVENDER (LAVANDULA OFFICINALIS CHAIX)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVENDER, ABSOLUTE (LAVANDULA OFFICINALIS CHAIX)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVENDER, CONCRETE (LAVANDULA OFFICINALIS CHAIX)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVENDER, OIL (LAVANDULA OFFICINALIS CHAIX)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVENDER, SPIKE (LAVANDULA LATIFOLIA BILL.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LAVENDER, SPIKE, OIL (LAVANDULA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LECHE CASPI (COUMA MACROCARPA BARB. RODR.)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- LECHE DE VACA (BROSIMUM UTILE (H.B.K.) PITTIER, AND POULSENIA SPP.)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- LECITHIN— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> ANTIOXIDANT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- LECITHIN, BENZOYL PEROXIDE MODIFIED— ANTIOXIDANT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT
- LECITHIN, ENZYME-MODIFIED— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT
- LECITHIN, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE MODIFIED— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- LEEK OIL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON ESSENCE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON GRASS, OIL (CYMBOPOGON CITRATUS DC. AND CYMBOPOGON FLEXUOSUSSTAPF)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON PEEL EXTRACT— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON PEEL GRANULES— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON TERPENES
- LEMON VERBENA, OIL (LIPPIA CITRIODORA)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON-VERBENA (LIPPIA CITRIODORA HBK.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON, EXTRACT (CITRUS LIMON (L.) BURM. F.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON, JUICE— PH CONTROL AGENT
- LEMON, OIL (CITRUS LIMON (L.) BURM. F.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEMON, OIL, TERPENELESS (CITRUS LIMON (L.) BURM. F.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEPIDINE
- LEVULINIC ACID— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LEVULOSE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- LICORICE (GLYCYRRHIZA SPP.)— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LICORICE EXTRACT (GLYCYRRHIZA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LICORICE EXTRACT POWDER (GLYCYRRHIZA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER
- LIGNIN
- LIGNIN SODIUM SULFONATE— BOILER WATER ADDITIVE
- LIGNOSULFONIC ACID— BOILER WATER ADDITIVE
- LIME JUICE, DEHYDRATED— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LIME OIL, DISTILLED— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LIME OIL, EXPRESSED— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LIME, ESSENCE
- LIME, JUICE— PH CONTROL AGENT
- LIME, OIL, TERPENELESS (CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA (CHRISTMAN) SWINGLE)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALOE WOOD, OIL (BURSERA DELPECHIANA POISS. AND OTHER BURSERA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALOOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALOOL OXIDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALOOL OXIDE PYRANOID— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL ANTHRANILATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL BENZOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL CINNAMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL FORMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL HEXANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL ISOBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL ISOVALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL OCTANOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL PHENYLACETATE— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINALYL PROPIONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT