A–Z index
Every additive, A to Z
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Agar-Agar E406Agar-agar (E406) is a seaweed gel that sets firmer than gelatin. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free, keto and kosher, and is the easiest plant swap for gelatin.Generally safeAlluloseAllulose is a "rare sugar" that tastes like sugar but has almost no calories and doesn't raise blood sugar. It's keto-friendly and browns like real sugar in baking.Generally safeAllura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidAscorbic Acid (Vitamin C) E300Ascorbic acid (E300) is plain vitamin C. It keeps food from browning and is one of the safest additives there is.Generally safeAspartame E951Aspartame (E951) is a zero-calorie sweetener in diet soda. It's approved, but WHO's cancer agency called it "possibly carcinogenic" in 2023, and people with PKU must avoid it.Use in moderationBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) E320BHA (E320) is a synthetic preservative that keeps fats fresh. The US National Toxicology Program lists it as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."Best to avoidBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) E321BHT (E321) is a synthetic preservative in cereal and snacks. It's approved, but evidence on long-term effects is mixed, and many brands have dropped it.Use in moderationCarmine (Cochineal) E120Carmine (E120) is a red dye made from crushed insects. It's not vegan, vegetarian or kosher, and halal status is disputed. It can cause rare severe allergies.Use in moderationCarrageenan E407Carrageenan (E407) is a seaweed thickener in plant milks and deli meats. It's approved, but some studies link it to gut inflammation, so people with IBD often avoid it.Use in moderationCitric Acid E330Citric acid (E330) is the sour acid of lemons, made by fermentation. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly.Generally safeDisodium Guanylate E627Disodium guanylate (E627) is a savory booster used with MSG. It's usually made from yeast, but can come from fish, so check for a vegan label.Generally safeDisodium Inosinate E631Disodium inosinate (E631) boosts savory flavor, usually alongside MSG. It's often made by fermentation but can come from meat or fish, so it's only reliably vegan when labeled.Generally safeErythritol E968Erythritol (E968) is a zero-calorie sugar alcohol popular in keto foods. A 2023 study linked high blood levels to heart risk, and large amounts can upset your stomach.Use in moderationErythrosine (Red 3) E127Red 3 (E127) is a pink dye the FDA is removing from US food by 2027 because of cancer findings in rats. The EU already limits it to candied cherries.Best to avoidGelatinGelatin is made from pig, cow or fish parts, so it is never vegan. It's only halal or kosher when certified, because most unlabeled gelatin comes from pork.Generally safeGuar Gum E412Guar gum (E412) is a bean-based thickener. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly, and works best in cold foods like ice cream.Generally safeHigh-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)High-fructose corn syrup is a liquid sugar made from corn. It's vegan and gluten-free, but it's sugar: not keto, not low-FODMAP, and best limited.Use in moderationL-Cysteine E920L-cysteine (E920) softens dough in bagels and pizza crust. It's often made from duck feathers or pig hair, so it's only reliably vegan or halal when certified.Use in moderationLecithin (Soy / Sunflower) E322Lecithin (E322) is a natural fat from soy or sunflower that keeps chocolate, dressings and baked goods smooth. It's safe, vegan and gluten-free. People with a soy allergy should look for sunflower lecithin.Generally safeMaltodextrinMaltodextrin is a starch powder that raises blood sugar faster than table sugar (GI about 110). It's vegan and gluten-free, but not keto-friendly and worth limiting if you watch blood sugar.Use in moderationMonk Fruit Extract (Luo Han Guo)Monk fruit is a zero-calorie sweetener from a Chinese melon. It's vegan and keto-friendly, but most store blends are mostly erythritol.Generally safeMono- and Diglycerides E471Mono- and diglycerides (E471) are emulsifiers that can be made from plants or from pork or beef fat. They're only vegan, halal or kosher when the product is certified.Use in moderationMonosodium Glutamate (MSG) E621MSG (E621) is a fermented seasoning with the same glutamate found in tomatoes and parmesan. It's vegan, gluten-free and considered safe; studies haven't confirmed the "MSG headache."Generally safePectin E440Pectin (E440) is a fruit fiber that sets jam. It's one of the safest additives there is: vegan, gluten-free, halal and kosher.Generally safePolysorbate 80 E433Polysorbate 80 (E433) is a lab-made emulsifier in ice cream and sauces. Mouse studies linked it to gut inflammation, and its vegan status depends on the fat source.Use in moderationPotassium Bromate E924Potassium bromate (E924) is a dough strengthener banned in the EU, UK and Canada because it causes cancer in animals. It's still legal in the US; look for "bromated flour."Best to avoidShellac (Confectioner's Glaze) E904Confectioner's glaze is shellac (E904), a resin made by lac insects. It's not vegan, and halal and kosher acceptance varies by certifier.Generally safeSodium Benzoate E211Sodium benzoate (E211) is a common preservative in soda and sauces. It's safe at normal amounts, but it can form small amounts of benzene when mixed with vitamin C.Use in moderationSodium Citrate E331Sodium citrate (E331) is a salt of citric acid that makes cheese melt silky-smooth. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly.Generally safeSodium Nitrite E250Sodium nitrite (E250) keeps bacon pink and prevents botulism, but forms cancer-linked compounds when cooked at high heat. "Uncured" meat usually has nitrite from celery instead.Best to avoidStevia (Steviol Glycosides) E960Stevia (E960) is a zero-calorie sweetener from a plant leaf, 200–300 times sweeter than sugar. It's vegan, keto-friendly and doesn't raise blood sugar.Generally safeSucralose (Splenda) E955Sucralose (Splenda, E955) is a zero-calorie sweetener made from sugar. It's approved, but recent studies raised questions about gut bacteria and heating it.Use in moderationTartrazine (Yellow 5) E102Tartrazine (Yellow 5, E102) is a synthetic yellow dye linked to hyperactivity in some children and to hives in sensitive people. It must carry a warning in the EU.Best to avoidTitanium Dioxide E171Titanium dioxide (E171) is a white coloring banned in EU food since 2022 because damage to DNA couldn't be ruled out. It's still allowed in the US and Canada.Best to avoidXanthan Gum E415Xanthan gum (E415) is a thickener made by bacteria. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly, and it's the go-to binder for gluten-free baking.Generally safe