US GRAS Substances
77 additives
White color, also used as anti-caking agent
White color. Banned in EU since Aug 2022 due to genotoxicity concerns. Still legal in US
Common preservative
Widely used preservative
Preservative for acidic foods
Common preservative. Can form benzene with vitamin C
Banned in EU for food use since 2006. Still used in US cosmetics
Banned in EU. Paraben concerns
Preservative for wine, dried fruits. Allergen
Natural antimicrobial from bacteria
Natural acid. Widely used
Common bread preservative
Natural fruit acid
Natural antioxidant
Vitamin C salt
Natural antioxidant
Synthetic antioxidant for fats
Synthetic antioxidant for oils/fats. Some health concerns debated
Synthetic antioxidant. Classified as possible carcinogen by IARC. EU restricts use; more freely used in US
Synthetic antioxidant. Health debate ongoing. EU restricts; US broader use
Natural emulsifier from soy or sunflower
Acidity regulator
Firming agent. Used in molecular gastronomy spherification
Very common natural acid
Acidity regulator, emulsifier
Natural acid in grapes
Baking ingredient
Acidity in cola drinks
Natural antioxidant from rosemary. Widely used for fats and oils
From seaweed
From seaweed. Used in molecular gastronomy
From seaweed. Vegetarian gelatin alternative
From seaweed. Some controversy over gut inflammation. EU approved but under review
Natural thickener from carob seeds
Natural thickener from guar beans
Natural from acacia trees
Produced by fermentation. Very common thickener
Sugar alcohol. Laxative effect in large amounts
Moisture retainer
From konjac root. Banned in jelly mini-cups in EU (choking hazard)
Natural from fruit. Used in jams
Raising agent, emulsifier
Plant fiber. Anti-caking agent
Very common thickener/stabilizer
Very common emulsifier in bread, ice cream
Bread dough conditioner
Chocolate emulsifier. Replaces cocoa butter
Bread dough strengthener
Baking soda
Salt substitute
Firming agent for canned vegetables
Tofu coagulant, flour treatment
Baking powder ingredient. Contains aluminium
Anti-caking agent. Nanoparticle concerns being studied
Anti-caking agent. Very common in supplements and tablets
Slow-release acid. Used in tofu, cheese, and cured meats
Natural amino acid. Umami taste
Most common flavor enhancer. Safe according to all major food agencies. 'Chinese Restaurant Syndrome' debunked
Often paired with MSG
Often paired with MSG
Common blend. Enhances umami
Anti-foaming in oils. Also in Silly Putty (fun fact)
Natural wax coating
Natural plant wax. Car wax too
From lac bug secretion. Candy coating
Amino acid. Can be derived from human hair or duck feathers
Inert gas
Inert gas for MAP packaging
Whipped cream propellant
Propellant gas
Sugar alcohol
Natural sweetener from stevia plant
Natural low-calorie sugar. 92% sweetness of sucrose
Sugar alcohol. Zero calorie. Recent cardiovascular concerns being studied
Natural foaming agent from quillaja bark. Used in soft drinks
Antimicrobial from egg white. Cheese preservation. Allergen (egg)
Common solvent and humectant. Used in flavorings, food colors. Also in e-cigarettes and antifreeze (different grades)