Version 2026.11.0 · updated 2026-11-03
Clean ingredient rubric
What Gutlog flags when it says a food is not clean, and how sure the science is. Many clean-label flags are preferences rather than proven harms; every flag says which.
How a verdict is made
An ingredient list starts at 100. Each flagged ingredient takes off its penalty once, however often it appears; variants of one kind (canola and soybean oil) count once together. A meal is judged on the ingredients that count, and a day or a week averages its meals.
Clean means nothing is flagged. Not clean means the score is under the profile's floor (70 in Balanced, 75 in Strict) or one flag is a dealbreaker (a penalty of 30+ in Balanced, 20+ in Strict). Everything else is Mostly clean.
Balanced (the default) applies the flags marked B. Strict adds every preference flag, such as gums, starches and all added sugars. Custom sets each category to off, Balanced or Strict.
Organic advice comes from the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen (2026).
Evidence levels
- Regulatory actionA regulator banned, revoked, restricted or required a warning for it somewhere. (28 flags)
- StrongConsistent human evidence of harm at the amounts people eat. (15 flags)
- MixedAnimal, lab or observational findings that are not settled in people. (24 flags)
- PreferenceA clean-eating preference for less-processed food, not a proven harm. (37 flags)
Natural flavors
A legal catch-all for flavor extracts whose components are not disclosed on the label.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural flavors | Preference | 10 | B · S | A legal catch-all for flavor extracts whose dozens of components and carriers are not disclosed; not shown to be harmful.21 CFR 101.22(a)(3), FDA definition of natural flavor |
Artificial flavors
Synthetic flavor compounds; the label never says which ones.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial flavors | Mixed | 15 | B · S | Undisclosed synthetic flavor compounds; FDA delisted seven of them in 2018 after cancer findings in animals.FDA, Food Additive Regulations; Synthetic Flavoring Agents and Adjuvants, final rule, 83 FR 50490 (October 9, 2018) |
Artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols
Non-nutritive sweeteners and sugar alcohols with open safety questions or digestive effects.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sucralose | Mixed | 20 | B · S | A sucralose impurity and metabolite damaged DNA in lab tests, and heating sucralose forms chlorinated compounds; human data are limited.Schiffman SS et al., Toxicological and pharmacokinetic properties of sucralose-6-acetate, J Toxicol Environ Health B (2023) |
| Aspartame | Mixed | 20 | B · S | Classified as possibly carcinogenic by IARC in 2023 on limited evidence, while food regulators kept its acceptable intake.IARC Monographs volume 134 (2023): aspartame classified possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B); JECFA kept the 40 mg/kg ADI |
| Acesulfame potassium | Mixed | 20 | B · S | Linked with higher cancer risk in a large French cohort; animal cancer studies were criticized as inadequate.Debras C et al., Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: NutriNet-Santé cohort, PLOS Medicine (2022) |
| Saccharin | Mixed | 15 | B · S | Caused bladder tumors in rats by a mechanism later judged not to apply to people; still a synthetic sweetener.US National Toxicology Program, Report on Carcinogens: saccharin listed 1981, delisted 2000 |
| Neotame | Preference | 15 | B · S | A synthetic aspartame derivative with little independent study.FDA, Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food (high-intensity sweeteners permitted in the US) |
| Advantame | Preference | 15 | B · S | A synthetic aspartame derivative with little independent study.FDA, Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food (high-intensity sweeteners permitted in the US) |
| Erythritol | Mixed | 10 | B · S | Higher blood erythritol was associated with heart attack and stroke, and it made platelets clot more readily in a small trial.Witkowski M et al., The artificial sweetener erythritol and cardiovascular event risk, Nature Medicine (2023) |
| Xylitol | Mixed | 10 | S | Associated with cardiovascular events and platelet activation in a 2024 study; a laxative in larger amounts.Witkowski M et al., Xylitol is prothrombotic and associated with cardiovascular risk, European Heart Journal (2024) |
| Maltitol | Preference | 5 | S | A sugar alcohol that commonly causes gas and loose stools.FDA, 21 CFR 184.1835 and 180.25: foods with sorbitol or mannitol carry a laxative-effect statement above set intakes |
| Sorbitol | Preference | 5 | S | A sugar alcohol that commonly causes gas and loose stools.FDA, 21 CFR 184.1835 and 180.25: foods with sorbitol or mannitol carry a laxative-effect statement above set intakes |
| Mannitol | Preference | 5 | S | A sugar alcohol that commonly causes gas and loose stools.FDA, 21 CFR 184.1835 and 180.25: foods with sorbitol or mannitol carry a laxative-effect statement above set intakes |
Artificial colors
Petroleum-based dyes and color additives under regulatory review in the US and labelled in the EU.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan; the EU requires a hyperactivity warning on foods that contain it.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Yellow 5 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan; the EU requires a hyperactivity warning on foods that contain it.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Yellow 6 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan; the EU requires a hyperactivity warning on foods that contain it.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Blue 1 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Blue 2 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Green 3 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Petroleum-based dye in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan; not authorized in EU food.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Red 3 | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | FDA revoked its use in food in 2025 because it caused thyroid tumors in male rats.FDA revoked the authorization of FD&C Red No. 3 in food (January 15, 2025; compliance January 15, 2027); EU limits erythrosine (E127) to cocktail and candied cherries |
| Citrus Red 2 | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Only allowed on orange peels in the US, under revocation since 2025, and not authorized in the EU.Not authorized as a food color in the EU; FDA began revoking Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in 2025 |
| Orange B | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Only allowed in sausage casings in the US, under revocation since 2025, and not authorized in the EU.Not authorized as a food color in the EU; FDA began revoking Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in 2025 |
| Titanium dioxide | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Banned as a food additive in the EU since 2022 because genotoxicity could not be ruled out.Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 removing titanium dioxide (E171) from food after EFSA's 2021 opinion that genotoxicity could not be ruled out |
| Artificial colors (unnamed) | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Unnamed added colors are usually the petroleum-based dyes in the FDA's 2025 phase-out plan.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Caramel color | Mixed | 10 | B · S | Class III and IV caramel color contain 4-MEI, a possible carcinogen listed under California Proposition 65; the label rarely says which class.IARC Monographs volume 101 (2013): 4-methylimidazole, formed in class III and IV caramel color, possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B); California Proposition 65 lists it |
Industrial seed oils
Refined, solvent-extracted oils high in omega-6 linoleic acid; flagged as a preference for less-processed fats.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Highly refined oil rich in omega-6 linoleic acid; large studies link linoleic acid with lower heart risk, so this is a preference for less-processed fats.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Canola oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined, usually solvent-extracted seed oil; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Soybean oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined, usually solvent-extracted seed oil high in omega-6; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Sunflower oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined seed oil high in omega-6 unless high-oleic; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Safflower oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined seed oil high in omega-6 unless high-oleic; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Corn oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined, solvent-extracted seed oil high in omega-6; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Cottonseed oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined, solvent-extracted seed oil from a crop not grown as food; a preference for less-processed fats.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Rice bran oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined, solvent-extracted oil; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Grapeseed oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Refined seed oil among the highest in omega-6; a preference for less-processed fats rather than a proven harm.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Mayonnaise | Preference | 10 | B · S | Most mayonnaise is made with soybean or canola oil; avocado or olive oil versions are not flagged.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
| Deep-fried coating | Preference | 5 | B · S | Restaurant and packaged fried food is usually fried in seed oils.Marklund M et al., Biomarkers of dietary omega-6 fatty acids and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality, Circulation (2019) |
Hydrogenated and interesterified fats
Industrially modified fats: partially hydrogenated oils carry trans fat, their replacements are little studied.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrogenated oil | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Partially hydrogenated oils were the main source of artificial trans fat; FDA ruled them no longer safe (GRAS) in 2015.FDA, Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils, 80 FR 34650 (June 17, 2015) |
| Fully hydrogenated oil | Preference | 10 | B · S | Fully hydrogenated oil has no trans fat but is an industrially hardened fat.FDA, Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils (2015): fully hydrogenated oils are not trans-fat sources but remain industrially processed |
| Interesterified fat | Mixed | 15 | B · S | A trans-fat replacement made by rearranging fats chemically, with few long-term human studies.Mills CE, Hall WL, Berry SEE, What are interesterified fats and should we be worried about them in our diet? Nutrition Bulletin (2017) |
Added sugars and syrups
Refined syrups in Balanced; every added sugar, honey and maple included, in Strict.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-fructose corn syrup | Strong | 25 | B · S | A refined added sugar; high intake of added sugars is consistently linked with weight gain, diabetes and heart disease.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Corn syrup | Strong | 15 | B · S | A refined added sugar; high intake of added sugars is consistently linked with weight gain, diabetes and heart disease.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Invert sugar | Strong | 15 | B · S | A refined syrup of glucose and fructose; counts toward added sugars.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Tapioca syrup | Strong | 10 | B · S | A refined starch syrup; counts toward added sugars.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Brown rice syrup | Mixed | 15 | B · S | An added sugar that can carry notable inorganic arsenic.Jackson BP et al., Arsenic, organic foods, and brown rice syrup, Environmental Health Perspectives (2012) |
| Soda | Strong | 25 | B · S | A regular soda carries about 39 g of added sugar, most of a day's limit, in one can.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Energy drink | Strong | 25 | B · S | Most energy drinks carry a day's worth of added sugar in one can.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Sugar | Strong | 10 | S | Added sugar; fine in small amounts, but it counts toward the under-10%-of-calories limit.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Honey | Strong | 5 | S | Less refined, but still an added sugar.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Maple syrup | Strong | 5 | S | Less refined, but still an added sugar.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Agave syrup | Strong | 10 | S | A processed syrup that is mostly fructose; still an added sugar.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Fruit juice concentrate | Strong | 5 | S | Juice concentrate used as a sweetener counts as added sugar.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
| Ice cream | Strong | 10 | S | Most ice cream carries 15–25 g of added sugar a serving.US Department of Agriculture and HHS, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: keep added sugars under 10% of calories |
Preservatives
Synthetic antioxidants, nitrites, benzoates and parabens with regulatory action or open questions.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHA | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen by the US National Toxicology Program and listed under California Proposition 65.US National Toxicology Program, Report on Carcinogens: BHA reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen; listed under California Proposition 65 |
| BHT | Mixed | 20 | B · S | A synthetic antioxidant with mixed animal findings on tumors and thyroid effects; regulators allow it with limits.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of butylated hydroxytoluene (E 321) as a food additive (2012) |
| TBHQ | Mixed | 20 | B · S | A synthetic antioxidant capped at 0.02% of fat; animal studies raised immune and other effects at high doses.21 CFR 172.185: TBHQ limited to 0.02% of a food's fat or oil |
| Sodium nitrite | Strong | 30 | B · S | Nitrite-cured processed meat is a Group 1 carcinogen for colorectal cancer, through nitrosamines formed in the body.Bouvard V et al., Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat, The Lancet Oncology (2015): IARC Group 1 |
| Bacon | Strong | 20 | B · S | Processed meat is a Group 1 carcinogen for colorectal cancer; uncured versions still use nitrite from celery.Bouvard V et al., Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat, The Lancet Oncology (2015): IARC Group 1 |
| Sausage | Strong | 20 | B · S | Processed meat is a Group 1 carcinogen for colorectal cancer.Bouvard V et al., Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat, The Lancet Oncology (2015): IARC Group 1 |
| Celery powder | Mixed | 20 | S | Used in "uncured" meats as a natural source of nitrite, the same chemistry as added sodium nitrite.IARC Monographs volume 94 (2010): ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation, probably carcinogenic (Group 2A) |
| Sodium benzoate | Mixed | 10 | B · S | Can form benzene with vitamin C in drinks, and was part of the additive mix linked with hyperactivity in children.FDA, Data on benzene in soft drinks and other beverages (2006–2007); McCann D et al., The Lancet (2007) |
| Potassium bromate | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | A possible carcinogen not allowed in EU, UK or Canadian bread and banned in California from 2027.California Food Safety Act (AB 418, 2023) bans it from 2027; not permitted in EU, UK or Canadian bread; IARC Group 2B (1999) |
| Propylparaben | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | An endocrine disruptor removed from EU food additives in 2006 and banned in California from 2027.Commission Directive 2006/52/EC removed propylparaben (E216) from EU food additives; California Food Safety Act (AB 418, 2023) bans it from 2027 |
| Propyl gallate | Mixed | 15 | B · S | A synthetic antioxidant with equivocal tumor findings in rodent studies.US National Toxicology Program, Technical Report 240 on propyl gallate (1982) |
| Calcium propionate | Mixed | 5 | S | Raised insulin-counteracting hormones in a small human study; generally recognized as safe.Tirosh A et al., The short-chain fatty acid propionate increases glucagon and FABP4 production, impairing insulin action, Science Translational Medicine (2019) |
| Sorbic acid | Preference | 5 | S | A synthetic preservative regulators consider safe; flagged only as a preference for unpreserved food.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, Scientific opinion on the re-evaluation of sorbic acid and its salts (E 200, E 202, E 203) as food additives (2015) |
| EDTA | Preference | 5 | S | A synthetic sequestrant used to keep color and flavor; permitted with limits.21 CFR 172.120: calcium disodium EDTA permitted as a sequestrant with per-food limits |
| Phosphate additives | Mixed | 5 | S | Added phosphates are almost fully absorbed and high phosphate intake is linked with kidney and vascular strain.Ritz E et al., Phosphate additives in food: a health risk, Deutsches Ärzteblatt International (2012) |
Emulsifiers and gums
Synthetic emulsifiers that disrupted the gut barrier in studies; plain gums only in Strict.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrageenan | Mixed | 15 | B · S | Caused intestinal inflammation in animal and cell studies; its degraded form is a possible carcinogen. Regulators still allow food-grade carrageenan.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives (2018); Bhattacharyya S et al., studies of carrageenan-induced intestinal inflammation |
| Polysorbate 80 | Mixed | 15 | B · S | Thinned the protective gut mucus and promoted inflammation in mice.Chassaing B et al., Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome, Nature (2015) |
| Carboxymethylcellulose | Mixed | 15 | B · S | Changed gut bacteria and reduced microbial diversity in a controlled human feeding study.Chassaing B et al., Randomized controlled-feeding study of dietary emulsifier carboxymethylcellulose, Gastroenterology (2022) |
| Polysorbate 60 | Mixed | 10 | B · S | A synthetic emulsifier closely related to polysorbate 80.Chassaing B et al., Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome, Nature (2015) |
| Mono- and diglycerides | Mixed | 10 | B · S | Associated with higher cardiovascular risk in a large French cohort; can carry small amounts of trans fat.Sellem L et al., Food additive emulsifiers and risk of cardiovascular disease in the NutriNet-Santé cohort, BMJ (2023) |
| DATEM | Preference | 5 | S | A synthetic dough emulsifier; no safety concern at reported uses.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of food emulsifiers (2017–2020): no safety concern at reported uses |
| Sodium stearoyl lactylate | Preference | 5 | S | A synthetic dough emulsifier; no safety concern at reported uses.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of food emulsifiers (2017–2020): no safety concern at reported uses |
| PGPR | Preference | 5 | S | A synthetic emulsifier used to replace cocoa butter in chocolate.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of food emulsifiers (2017–2020): no safety concern at reported uses |
| Xanthan gum | Preference | 5 | S | Considered safe; avoided by some people for digestive comfort.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of xanthan (E 415, 2017), guar (E 412, 2017), gellan (E 418, 2018) and cellulose derivatives (2018): no safety concern at reported uses |
| Guar gum | Preference | 5 | S | Considered safe; avoided by some people for digestive comfort.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of xanthan (E 415, 2017), guar (E 412, 2017), gellan (E 418, 2018) and cellulose derivatives (2018): no safety concern at reported uses |
| Gellan gum | Preference | 5 | S | Considered safe; avoided by some people for digestive comfort.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of xanthan (E 415, 2017), guar (E 412, 2017), gellan (E 418, 2018) and cellulose derivatives (2018): no safety concern at reported uses |
| Methylcellulose | Preference | 5 | S | A modified cellulose considered safe; flagged only as a preference for less-processed food.EFSA Panel on Food Additives, re-evaluations of xanthan (E 415, 2017), guar (E 412, 2017), gellan (E 418, 2018) and cellulose derivatives (2018): no safety concern at reported uses |
Flavor enhancers
Added free glutamate and nucleotides that make processed food taste savory.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monosodium glutamate | Preference | 10 | B · S | Safe for most people in controlled studies; flagged because it signals heavily processed, savory-engineered food.FDA, Questions and Answers on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): generally recognized as safe; reported sensitivity not confirmed in controlled studies |
| Disodium inosinate and guanylate | Preference | 5 | B · S | Flavor enhancers used with MSG to amplify savoriness.FDA, Questions and Answers on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): generally recognized as safe; reported sensitivity not confirmed in controlled studies |
| Hydrolyzed vegetable protein | Preference | 5 | B · S | A source of free glutamate that works like MSG without the name.FDA, Questions and Answers on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extracts contain free glutamate |
| Yeast extract | Preference | 5 | S | A source of free glutamate used as a flavor enhancer.FDA, Questions and Answers on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG): hydrolyzed proteins and yeast extracts contain free glutamate |
Refined starches and maltodextrin
Highly processed starches used as fillers and thickeners.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maltodextrin | Mixed | 10 | B · S | A highly processed starch with a high glycemic index that weakened gut mucus defenses in mice.Laudisi F et al., The food additive maltodextrin promotes endoplasmic reticulum stress-driven mucus depletion and exacerbates intestinal inflammation, Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology (2019) |
| Corn starch | Preference | 5 | S | A refined or chemically modified starch used as filler and thickener.21 CFR 172.892: food starch-modified, chemically treated starches permitted as thickeners |
| Dextrin | Preference | 5 | S | A refined starch used as filler and coating.21 CFR 172.892: food starch-modified, chemically treated starches permitted as thickeners |
| Tapioca starch | Preference | 5 | S | A refined starch used as filler and thickener.21 CFR 172.892: food starch-modified, chemically treated starches permitted as thickeners |
| Potato starch | Preference | 5 | S | A refined starch used as filler and binder.21 CFR 172.892: food starch-modified, chemically treated starches permitted as thickeners |
| Wheat starch | Preference | 5 | S | A refined starch used as filler and thickener.21 CFR 172.892: food starch-modified, chemically treated starches permitted as thickeners |
Bleached and enriched flours
Refined white flour, chemically bleached or with a few nutrients added back.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enriched wheat flour | Preference | 5 | B · S | Refined white flour: the bran and germ are removed and a few nutrients added back.21 CFR 137.165: enriched flour, refined flour with thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and iron added back |
| Bleached flour | Mixed | 10 | B · S | Whitened with benzoyl peroxide or chlorine, treatments the EU does not allow for flour.21 CFR 137.105: flour may be bleached with benzoyl peroxide, chlorine or chlorine dioxide; these treatments are not authorized for flour in the EU |
| Azodicarbonamide | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | A dough conditioner not authorized in the EU; it breaks down into semicarbazide and is a known respiratory sensitizer for workers.WHO Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 16: Azodicarbonamide (1999); not authorized in the EU |
Banned or restricted in the EU
Additives the EU does not authorize in food, or allows only with a warning label or in a single food.
| Ingredient | Evidence | Penalty | Profiles | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | EU foods with Allura Red (E129) must say it may affect activity and attention in children.McCann D et al., Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-, 8/9-year-old children, The Lancet (2007); EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Annex V warning label |
| Yellow 5 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | EU foods with tartrazine (E102) must say it may affect activity and attention in children.McCann D et al., Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-, 8/9-year-old children, The Lancet (2007); EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Annex V warning label |
| Yellow 6 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | EU foods with Sunset Yellow (E110) must say it may affect activity and attention in children.McCann D et al., Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-, 8/9-year-old children, The Lancet (2007); EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 Annex V warning label |
| Red 3 | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | The EU allows erythrosine (E127) only in cocktail and candied cherries.FDA revoked the authorization of FD&C Red No. 3 in food (January 15, 2025; compliance January 15, 2027); EU limits erythrosine (E127) to cocktail and candied cherries |
| Green 3 | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Fast Green FCF is not authorized as a food color in the EU.FDA and HHS, plan to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes in the US food supply (April 22, 2025) |
| Citrus Red 2 | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Not authorized as a food color in the EU.Not authorized as a food color in the EU; FDA began revoking Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in 2025 |
| Orange B | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Not authorized as a food color in the EU.Not authorized as a food color in the EU; FDA began revoking Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B in 2025 |
| Titanium dioxide | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Removed from the EU's list of food additives in 2022.Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 removing titanium dioxide (E171) from food after EFSA's 2021 opinion that genotoxicity could not be ruled out |
| Potassium bromate | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Not authorized in EU food.California Food Safety Act (AB 418, 2023) bans it from 2027; not permitted in EU, UK or Canadian bread; IARC Group 2B (1999) |
| Azodicarbonamide | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Not authorized in EU food.WHO Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 16: Azodicarbonamide (1999); not authorized in the EU |
| Brominated vegetable oil | Regulatory action | 40 | B · S | Not authorized in the EU, and FDA revoked its use in US food in 2024 over bromine buildup and thyroid effects.FDA final rule revoking the authorization of brominated vegetable oil in food (July 2024); not authorized in the EU |
| Propylparaben | Regulatory action | 30 | B · S | Removed from EU food additives in 2006.Commission Directive 2006/52/EC removed propylparaben (E216) from EU food additives; California Food Safety Act (AB 418, 2023) bans it from 2027 |
Allowed in the US, banned or restricted in the EU
Each also carries an EU-restricted flag in the rubric.
| Additive | E number | EU status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium dioxide | E171 | Not authorized in EU food | Removed from the list of food additives in 2022.Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 |
| Potassium bromate | E924 | Not authorized in EU food | Not authorized as a flour treatment agent.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (not listed) |
| Azodicarbonamide | E927a | Not authorized in EU food | Not authorized as a flour treatment agent.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (not listed) |
| Brominated vegetable oil | – | Not authorized in EU food | Never authorized; also revoked in the US in 2024.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (not listed) |
| Propylparaben | E216 | Not authorized in EU food | Removed from food additives in 2006.Commission Directive 2006/52/EC |
| Green 3 | E143 | Not authorized in EU food | Fast Green FCF is not an authorized food color.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (not listed) |
| Citrus Red 2 | – | Not authorized in EU food | Not an authorized food color.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (not listed) |
| Orange B | – | Not authorized in EU food | Not an authorized food color.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (not listed) |
| Red 3 | E127 | Allowed in one food only | Erythrosine only in cocktail and candied cherries.Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II |
| Red 40 | E129 | Allowed with a warning label | "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V |
| Yellow 5 | E102 | Allowed with a warning label | "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V |
| Yellow 6 | E110 | Allowed with a warning label | "May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children."Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex V |
This rubric is general information about ingredients, not medical advice. Agents can read it as data with the get_clean_rubric op.