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 2,601–2,700 of 3,940
- LINDEN FLOWERS (TILIA GLABRA VENT.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINDEN FLOWERS, EXTRACT (TILIA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINDEN LEAVES (TILLIA SPP.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LINOLEIC ACID— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LIPASE— ENZYME,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- LIPASE FROM ANIMAL TISSUE— ENZYME
- LIPASE FROM ASPERGILLUS NIGER— ENZYME
- LIPASE FROM ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE— ENZYME,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- LIPASE FROM RHIZOPUS NIVEUS— ENZYME
- LISTERIA-SPECIFIC BACTERIOPHAGE PREPARATION— ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT
- LITSEA CUBEBA BERRY OIL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LOCUST (CAROB) BEAN GUM— EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- LOVAGE (LEVISTICUM OFFICINALE KOCH)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LOVAGE, EXTRACT (LEVISTICUM OFFICINALE KOCH)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LOVAGE, OIL (LEVISTICUM OFFICINALE KOCH)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LUNGMOSS (STICTA PULMONACEA ACH.)
- LUO HAN FRUIT CONCENTRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- LUPULIN (HUMULUS LUPULUS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- M-CRESOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- M-DIMETHOXYBENZENE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MACE (MYRISTICA FRAGRANS HOUTT.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- MACE, OIL (MYRISTICA FRAGRANS HOUTT.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MACE, OLEORESIN (MYRISTICA FRAGRANS HOUTT.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MAGNESIUM CAPRATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM CAPRYLATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM CARBONATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FIRMING AGENT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MAGNESIUM CYCLAMATE--PROHIBITED— NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER
- MAGNESIUM FUMARATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MAGNESIUM GLUCONATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MAGNESIUM GLYCEROPHOSPHATE— FORMULATION AID
- MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- MAGNESIUM LAURATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM MYRISTATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM OLEATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM OXIDE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- MAGNESIUM PALMITATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, DIBASIC— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE, TRIBASIC— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- MAGNESIUM SALTS OF FATTY ACIDS— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT
- MAGNESIUM SILICATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> FORMULATION AID
- MAGNESIUM STEARATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> DRYING AGENT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> HUMECTANT
- MAGNESIUM SULFATE— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> PROCESSING AID,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER
- MAGNOLOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MAIDENHAIR FERN (ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MALIC ACID— FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> PH CONTROL AGENT,<br /> SYNERGIST
- MALT— ENZYME
- MALT SYRUP (MALT EXTRACT)— COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> MALTING OR FERMENTING AID,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- MALTODEXTRIN— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> HUMECTANT,<br /> NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE,<br /> STABILIZER OR THICKENER,<br /> SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT,<br /> TEXTURIZER
- MALTOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> PROCESSING AID
- MALTOL PROPIONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MALTOSE— NUTRITIVE SWEETENER
- MALTYL ISOBUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MANDARIN, OIL (CITRUS RETICULATA BLANCO)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MANGANESE CHLORIDE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MANGANESE CITRATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT,<br /> SEQUESTRANT
- MANGANESE GLUCONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FUMIGANT
- MANGANESE GLYCEROPHOSPHATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MANGANESE HYPOPHOSPHITE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MANGANESE SULFATE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MANGANOUS OXIDE— NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
- MANNITOL— ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT,<br /> FLAVOR ENHANCER,<br /> FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> FORMULATION AID,<br /> LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT,<br /> NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER,<br /> SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- MARIGOLD, POT (CALENDULA OFFICINALIS L.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MARJORAM SEED (MAJORANA HORTENSIS MOENCH (ORIGANUM MAJORANA L.))— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MARJORAM, OLEORESIN (MARJORANA HORTENSIS MOENCH (ORIGANUM MAJORANA L.))— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MARJORAM, POT (MAJORANA ONITES (L.) BENTH. (ORIGANUM VULGARE L.))— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MARJORAM, SWEET (MAJORANA HORTENSIS MOENCH (ORIGANUM MAJORANA L.))— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MARJORAM, SWEET, OIL (MAJORANA HORTENSIS MOENCH (ORIGANUM MAJORANA L.))— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MASSARANDUBA BALATA (MANILKARA HUBERI (DUCKE) CHEVALIER)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- MASSARANDUBA BALATA, SOLVENT-FREE RESIN EXTRACT— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- MASSARANDUBA CHOCOLATE (MANILKARA SOLIMOESENSIS GILLY)— MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- MASSOIA BARK OIL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MASTIC GUM— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MATE, ABSOLUTE (ILEX PARAGUARIENSIS ST. HIL.)— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MATE, LEAVES
- MENADIOL SODIUM DIPHOSPHATE
- MENHADEN OIL
- MENHADEN OIL, HYDROGENATED
- MENTHADIENOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT,<br /> MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE
- MENTHOL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHONE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHONE 1,2-GLYCEROL KETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHONE-8-THIOACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHYL ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHYL FORMATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHYL ISOVALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHYL PROPIONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHYL PROPYLENE GLYCOL CARBONATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MENTHYL PYRROLIDONECARBOXYLATE
- MENTHYL VALERATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- MESQUITE WOOD EXTRACT— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHACRYLIC ACID-DIVINYLBENZENE COPOLYMER— SOLVENT OR VEHICLE
- METHIONAL DIETHYL ACETAL— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHIONYL BUTYRATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHOXYPYRAZINE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHYL (METHYLTHIO)ACETATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHYL (METHYLTHIO)METHYL DISULFIDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHYL 1-ACETOXYCYCLOHEXYL KETONE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHYL 1-PROPENYL SULFIDE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT
- METHYL 10-UNDECENOATE— FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT