Cross-Country Food Additive Regulation Database
Understand how different countries regulate the chemicals in your food. Compare 5 major regions instantly.
Or paste a full ingredient list — we'll identify all additives automatically
Key Regulatory Differences
Why some additives are legal in the USA but banned in the EU (and vice versa).
Browse by Functional Class
Every additive is classified by its role in food production. Explore by category to understand what each one does.
colour
34 items →Makes food look more appealing by adding or restoring color.
color
6 items →Makes food look more appealing by adding or restoring color.
colour, acidity regulator, anticaking agent
1 items →Makes food look more appealing by adding or restoring color.
surface colorant
3 items →Applied to the outer surface of food for visual appeal.
preservative
28 items →Slows spoilage so food stays safe and fresh longer.
preservative, antioxidant
2 items →Slows spoilage so food stays safe and fresh longer.
preservative (surface treatment)
1 items →preservative (surface treatment, fungicide)
1 items →preservative (antimicrobial peptide, bacteriocin)
1 items →preservative (antifungal agent)
1 items →preservative (cold sterilant)
1 items →preservative (antimicrobial)
1 itemspreservative, color fixative
1 itemsSlows spoilage so food stays safe and fresh longer.
acidity regulator
26 items →Controls the pH (sourness) of food — think tangy drinks and candy.
acidity regulator
7 items →Controls the pH (sourness) of food — think tangy drinks and candy.
antioxidant
21 items →Prevents fats and oils from going rancid by blocking oxidation.
emulsifier
37 items →Keeps oil and water mixed — like the smooth texture of mayo or chocolate.
stabiliser
18 items →Keeps texture consistent — stops ice cream from getting icy crystals.
gelling agent
4 items →Turns liquids into gels — the science behind jelly and jam.
sweetener
19 items →Adds sweetness with fewer (or zero) calories compared to sugar.
humectant
1 itemsRetains moisture so food stays soft and chewy.
thickener
19 items →Makes liquids thicker — used in sauces, soups, and puddings.
raising agent
2 items →Creates gas bubbles that make bread and cakes rise.
anti-caking agent
10 items →Stops powders from clumping — keeps your salt flowing freely.
firming agent
4 items →Maintains crispness in fruits and vegetables during processing.
glazing agent
12 items →Creates a shiny, protective coating on food surfaces.
sequestrant
2 items →Binds metals that could cause off-flavors or discoloration.
color retention agent
2 items →Keeps natural food colors from fading during processing.
flavor enhancer
16 items →Boosts existing flavors without adding its own taste.
flavour enhancer
1 items →Boosts existing flavors without adding its own taste.
antifoaming agent
1 items →Prevents unwanted foam during cooking and processing.
flour treatment agent
9 items →Improves dough strength and bread texture.
stabilizer
1 items →Keeps texture consistent — stops ice cream from getting icy crystals.
packaging gas
4 items →Fills packages with inert gas to keep food fresh without preservatives.
propellant
5 items →The pressurized gas that pushes food out of spray cans.
foaming agent
1 items →Creates stable foam — like the froth on whipped toppings.
bulking agent
1 items →Adds volume to food without significantly adding calories.
Banned Additives by Region
Quickly access the list of prohibited substances in your country.
Browse by Food Type
Find out exactly which additives are in the foods you eat every day.
Expert Educational Guides
Deep dives into the science and history of food chemistry.
What Are E Numbers?
The complete history and classification system used in the European Union.
Read Full Article →Reading Food Labels
A practical guide to identifying hidden additives and understanding terminology.
Read Full Article →Natural vs Synthetic
Debunking myths about additive sources and their relative safety profiles.
Read Full Article →Regulatory Changes 2024–2025
FDA bans, EU re-evaluations, and shifting global standards in the last two years.
Read Full Article →Banned in EU, Legal Elsewhere
Why the EU bans additives that other countries permit — and the reverse cases.
Read Full Article →Understanding ADI Values
What "Acceptable Daily Intake" really means, how it's calculated, and common misconceptions.
Read Full Article →Artificial Sweeteners Compared
Aspartame, sucralose, stevia, saccharin, cyclamate — safety data, ADI values, and why cyclamate is banned in the USA.
Read Full Article →Most Controversial Additives
What EFSA, FDA, and JECFA actually say about titanium dioxide, nitrites, BHA/BHT, MSG, and more.
Read Full Article →Food Additives & Children
The Southampton study, the EU hyperactivity warning label, and what parents should know about reading labels.
Read Full Article →How Regulations Differ Worldwide
EU positive list vs. US GRAS framework vs. Japan's designated additive system explained.
Read Full Article →Food Additive Checker
Paste any food ingredient list to instantly identify additives and check their regulatory status across 5 countries.
Try the Ingredient CheckerRegional Standards Comparison
Different continents have fundamentally different philosophies on food safety. Explore our side-by-side comparisons to see the gaps.