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

E627 – Disodium guanylate

E627 (disodium guanylate) is a GMP-based flavour enhancer used to boost umami, usually together with MSG or inosinate. It is permitted in the EU and US, but graded ORANGE because purine metabolism can matter for…
E451 – Triphosphates

E451 (triphosphates) are phosphate salts used to stabilise processed foods and improve texture by binding water. They are permitted in the EU and US, but high overall phosphate intake can be a concern for people…
E412 – Guar gum

E412 (guar gum) is a plant-based thickener made from guar beans. It is widely authorised in the EU and affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the US. For most people it is considered…
E635 – Disodium 5’–ribonucleotides

E635 (Disodium 5′-ribonucleotides) is a flavour enhancer usually used with MSG to boost umami. It is permitted in the EU and US, but it can matter for people sensitive to purines (gout, hyperuricemia), so we…
E631 – Disodium inosinate

E631 (disodium inosinate) is a flavour enhancer that boosts umami taste, often used in instant noodles, snack seasonings and stock cubes. Regulators allow it and JECFA assigns a group ADI not specified for inosinate salts,…

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.

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