Food additives database

Is It Safe? Side Effects & Regulation

What does the food additives database provide?

Each entry explains what the additive is, where it is used, and its safety profile. There are also details about possible side effects and how regulators in the EU, US, and other markets classify it. Simple grading system shows whether an additive is GREEN (Safe), ORANGE (Some Concerns), or RED (Unsafe/Banned).

Recent additives

E509 – Calcium chloride

E509 (calcium chloride) is a mineral salt used mainly as a firming and anti-caking agent. It helps keep canned vegetables crisp and improves cheese curd formation. Our grade is GREEN – SAFE, with the main…
E471 – Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) are widely used food emulsifiers derived from fats and oils. They are legally approved and generally safe for most consumers, but their metabolic equivalence to dietary fats, possible…
E162 – Beetroot Red (Betanin)

E162 (Beetroot Red), also known as betanin, is a natural red-purple food colour extracted from beetroot. It is widely used in beverages, confectionery and dairy products and is considered safe for consumers based on current…
E417 – Tara gum

E417 (Tara gum) is a natural thickener obtained from the seeds of the tara tree. It is widely used to improve texture and stability in dairy, bakery and processed foods. Current scientific evidence supports a…
E341 – Calcium Phosphates (i, ii, iii)

E341 refers to calcium phosphates (i, ii, iii) used in foods as leavening acids, mineral supplements and anti-caking agents. While approved globally, modern studies raise concerns about excessive phosphate intake and its impact on kidney…

Browse by category

Colours

Colours are additives used to restore, enhance, or standardise the appearance of food and drinks.

Preservatives

Preservatives help slow spoilage by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and extending shelf life.

Antioxidants and acidity regulators

These additives help prevent oxidation, maintain freshness, and control the acidity or alkalinity of food.

Icon for thickeners stabilisers and emulsifiers additive category.

Thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers

These additives improve texture, keep ingredients evenly mixed, and help foods maintain a consistent structure.

pH regulators and anti caking agents

These additives adjust acidity and help powders or granules stay free-flowing instead of clumping together.

Flavour enhancers

Flavour enhancers are used to intensify or round out existing taste without necessarily adding a distinct flavour of their own.

Antibiotics

This category includes substances historically used in limited food-related contexts to inhibit bacterial growth.

Glazing agents, gases and sweeteners

These additives provide shine, assist with packaging or processing, and add sweetness with or without sugar.

Additional additives

Additional additives include specialised substances that do not fit neatly into the main standard additive groups.

Browse by safety grade

Green grain dots symbol for safe food additive (E number classification – GREEN level).

GREEN

Generally recognized as safe, widely accepted without controversy.

Orange grain dots symbol for food additive with some concerns (E number classification – ORANGE level).

ORANGE

Additives still legally allowed in the EU/US but controversial, restricted in some contexts, or under scientific debate.

Red grain dots symbol for unsafe food additive (E number classification – RED level).

RED

Only for additives that are banned or clearly unsafe based on strong scientific consensus.

Food additives scanner mobile application

Designed to quickly scan product labels in any language.
Automatic detection of additives and E-numbers.
Instantly provide a safety analysis based on the additives detected.
Clear results without complex chemistry.
Science-based safety approach.

Get it on Google 0lay badge

Food additives scanner application app banner