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Our team analyzed 30 of the most commonly searched food additives and ingredients. Each is rated Safe, Caution, or Avoid based on regulatory data, peer-reviewed research, and health organization assessments.
Tap any ingredient for a full safety report including US vs EU regulatory comparison, common products containing it, and health concerns.
| Ingredient | Rating | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium Dioxide (E171) | Avoid | Genotoxicity concerns |
| BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) | Avoid | Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (NTP) |
| Sodium Nitrite (E250) | Avoid | Forms nitrosamines (carcinogenic) when heated |
| Ingredient | Rating | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Red 40 (Allura Red AC) | Caution | Linked to hyperactivity in children |
| Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) | Caution | Hyperactivity in sensitive children |
| Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow) | Caution | Hyperactivity in children |
| Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) | Caution | May cross blood-brain barrier |
| Carrageenan | Caution | Intestinal inflammation |
| Sodium Benzoate (E211) | Caution | Forms benzene when combined with vitamin C |
| BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) | Caution | Possible endocrine disruptor |
| TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) | Caution | Nausea and vomiting at high doses |
| Aspartame (E951) | Caution | IARC classified as 'possibly carcinogenic' (Group 2B) |
| Sucralose (Splenda, E955) | Caution | May alter gut microbiome |
| Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K, E950) | Caution | May affect gut bacteria |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) | Caution | Contributes to obesity |
| Sodium Nitrate (E251) | Caution | Converts to nitrite in the body |
| Polysorbate 80 (E433) | Caution | May promote intestinal inflammation |
| Maltodextrin | Caution | High glycemic index (spikes blood sugar) |
| Phosphoric Acid (E338) | Caution | May reduce bone mineral density |
| Caramel Color (E150a-d) | Caution | 4-MEI byproduct (possible carcinogen in Class III/IV) |
| Natural Flavors | Caution | Lack of transparency (can contain 50-100 chemicals) |
| Artificial Flavors | Caution | Proprietary blends with unknown components |
| Cellulose Gum (CMC, E466) | Caution | May promote intestinal inflammation (animal studies) |
| Ingredient | Rating | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Potassium Sorbate (E202) | Safe | Generally considered safe |
| MSG (Monosodium Glutamate, E621) | Safe | Generally recognized as safe |
| Propylene Glycol (E1520) | Safe | Generally recognized as safe at food levels |
| Xanthan Gum (E415) | Safe | Generally recognized as safe |
| Soy Lecithin (E322) | Safe | Generally recognized as safe |
| Citric Acid (E330) | Safe | Generally recognized as safe |
| Guar Gum (E412) | Safe | Generally recognized as safe |
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CheckIt AI. (2026). "Is It Safe? — Food Ingredient Safety Verdicts (2026 Guide)". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/is-it-safe"Is It Safe? — Food Ingredient Safety Verdicts (2026 Guide)." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-14. https://getcheck.it/is-it-safe.<a href="https://getcheck.it/is-it-safe">Is It Safe? — Food Ingredient Safety Verdicts (2026 Guide) — CheckIt AI</a>@misc{checkit2026isitsafe,
title = {Is It Safe? — Food Ingredient Safety Verdicts (2026 Guide)},
author = {CheckIt AI},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
url = {https://getcheck.it/is-it-safe},
note = {Retrieved 2026-03-14}
}📊 1,014 products scanned today
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