Ingredient Safety Ratings
125 ingredients with CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest) safety ratings, based on peer-reviewed research and FDA Substances Added to Food status.
| Ingredient | CSPI Rating | Products |
|---|---|---|
| Acesulfame Potassium NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Avoid | 6,989 |
| Acetic Acid ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PH CONTROL AGENT | Safe | 2,829 |
| Air Other | Safe | 1 |
| Alginate Thickener | Safe | 47 |
| Allulose Sweetener | Cut Back | 602 |
| Aloe vera Flavoring | Avoid | 67 |
| Amylase Flavoring | Safe | 620 |
| Annatto Coloring | Certain People Should Avoid | 8,979 |
| Artificial sweeteners Sweetener | Caution | 38 |
| Ascorbyl Palmitate ANTIOXIDANT | Safe | 447 |
| Aspartame FLAVOR ENHANCER, NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Avoid | 2,493 |
| Autolyzed yeast extract Flavoring | Certain People Should Avoid | 4,037 |
| Azodicarbonamide DOUGH STRENGTHENER, FLOUR TREATING AGENT | Avoid | 700 |
| Beta-carotene ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, PROCESSING AID, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT | Safe | 2,058 |
| BHA | Avoid | 2,842 |
| BHT | Caution | 4,448 |
| Blue 1 | Caution | 16,642 |
| Blue 2 | Avoid | 3,601 |
| Brominated Vegetable Oil | Avoid | 514 |
| Caffeine FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Certain People Should Avoid | 3,113 |
| Calcium Propionate ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT | Safe | 6,985 |
| Caramel Coloring | Caution | 22,611 |
| Carbon Dioxide ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, FREEZING OR COOLING AGENT, DIRECT CONTACT, PH CONTROL AGENT, PROCESSING AID, PROPELLANT, SOLVENT | Safe | 646 |
| Carboxymethyl Cellulose ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, HUMECTANT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Caution | 154 |
| Carmine Coloring | Certain People Should Avoid | 743 |
| Carrageenan ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, PROCESSING AID, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, TEXTURIZER | Caution | 17,853 |
| Casein EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, PROCESSING AID, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT, TEXTURIZER | Certain People Should Avoid | 545 |
| Cellulose Emulsifier | Safe | 4,863 |
| Citric Acid ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, ENZYME, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, LEAVENING AGENT, PH CONTROL AGENT, SEQUESTRANT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Safe | 88,747 |
| Corn Syrup ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, HUMECTANT, LEAVENING AGENT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, TEXTURIZER | Cut Back | 46,016 |
| Cysteine Preservative | Safe | 15 |
| Datem Emulsifier | Safe | 4,272 |
| Dextrin ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER | Safe | 3,439 |
| Dextrose ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, DRYING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, HUMECTANT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER | Cut Back | 39,630 |
| Diacetyl FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Caution | 10 |
| EDTA Other | Safe | 251 |
| Erythorbic Acid ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, CURING OR PICKLING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Safe | 355 |
| Erythritol Sweetener | Safe | 2,358 |
| Ferrous Gluconate COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT | Safe | 537 |
| Fructose Sweetener | Cut Back | 5,301 |
| Fumaric Acid ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, CURING OR PICKLING AGENT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, LEAVENING AGENT, PH CONTROL AGENT | Safe | 3,857 |
| Gelatin ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, PROCESSING AID, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT, TEXTURIZER | Safe | 9,268 |
| Ginkgo biloba Other | Avoid | 7 |
| Ginseng Other | Safe | 31 |
| Gluconic acid pH Control | Safe | 101 |
| Glycerin ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, HUMECTANT, MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, TEXTURIZER | Safe | 6,836 |
| Green 3 | Caution | 139 |
| Guarana Other | Certain People Should Avoid | 56 |
| High-fructose corn syrup Sweetener | Cut Back | 24,400 |
| High-maltose corn syrup Sweetener | Cut Back | 1 |
| Hydrolyzed vegetable protein Flavoring | Certain People Should Avoid | 536 |
| Inulin Other | Safe | 2,843 |
| Invert Sugar FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Cut Back | 5,376 |
| Isolated soy protein Other | Safe | 1,340 |
| Isomalt Sweetener | Cut Back | 229 |
| Lactic Acid ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, CURING OR PICKLING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PH CONTROL AGENT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE | Safe | 17,821 |
| Lactitol Sweetener | Cut Back | 66 |
| Lactose FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, MALTING OR FERMENTING AID, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Certain People Should Avoid | 6,523 |
| Lecithin ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, HUMECTANT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT, TEXTURIZER | Safe | 2,757 |
| Malic Acid FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PH CONTROL AGENT, SYNERGIST | Safe | 10,846 |
| Maltitol Sweetener | Cut Back | 1,502 |
| Maltodextrin ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, HUMECTANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT, TEXTURIZER | Safe | 32,361 |
| Maltotame Sweetener | Safe | 1 |
| Mannitol ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE | Cut Back | 567 |
| Monk fruit extract Sweetener | Caution | 1,802 |
| Mono- And Diglycerides EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT, TEXTURIZER | Safe | 96 |
| Mycoprotein Other | Certain People Should Avoid | 23 |
| Natamycin FUMIGANT | Safe | 3,789 |
| Neotame FLAVOR ENHANCER, NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Safe | 201 |
| Nisin Preservative | Safe | 289 |
| Nitrous Oxide FLAVOR ENHANCER, PROPELLANT | Safe | 47 |
| Oat fiber Other | Safe | 2,787 |
| Olestra | Avoid | 2 |
| Oligofructose Sweetener | Safe | 249 |
| Papain Other | Safe | 215 |
| Pectin EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FIRMING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, TEXTURIZER | Safe | 10,963 |
| Phosphoric Acid ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FUMIGANT, MALTING OR FERMENTING AID, NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, PH CONTROL AGENT, SEQUESTRANT | Cut Back | 4,369 |
| Polydextrose FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, TEXTURIZER | Cut Back | 1,309 |
| Polysorbate 60 BOILER WATER ADDITIVE, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Caution | 5,745 |
| Polysorbate 65 EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, STABILIZER OR THICKENER | Caution | 63 |
| Polysorbate 80 COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Caution | 5,270 |
| Potassium Bromate DOUGH STRENGTHENER, FLOUR TREATING AGENT, LEAVENING AGENT, OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT | Avoid | 405 |
| Potassium Chloride ENZYME, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, MALTING OR FERMENTING AID, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, PH CONTROL AGENT, PROCESSING AID, STABILIZER OR THICKENER | Certain People Should Avoid | 6,367 |
| Potassium Iodate DOUGH STRENGTHENER, FLOUR TREATING AGENT, MALTING OR FERMENTING AID, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT | Avoid | 946 |
| Potassium Sorbate ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, PH CONTROL AGENT | Safe | 16,703 |
| Propyl Gallate ANTIOXIDANT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Avoid | 727 |
| Propylene Glycol ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE | Certain People Should Avoid | 2,854 |
| Quinine Flavoring | Certain People Should Avoid | 115 |
| Red 3 | Avoid | 4,601 |
| Red 40 | Avoid | 21,594 |
| Saccharin NON-NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Avoid | 134 |
| Salt Flavoring | Cut Back | 195,417 |
| Sea salt Flavoring | Cut Back | 45,017 |
| Silicon Dioxide ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT | Safe | 5,994 |
| Sodium Benzoate ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FUMIGANT, PH CONTROL AGENT, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Certain People Should Avoid | 11,469 |
| Sodium Diacetate FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Safe | 5,327 |
| Sodium Erythorbate ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, DOUGH STRENGTHENER, FLOUR TREATING AGENT, OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT, PROCESSING AID, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT | Safe | 7,270 |
| Sodium Nitrate ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PROPELLANT | Avoid | 781 |
| Sodium Nitrite ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PROPELLANT | Avoid | 9,577 |
| Sodium stearoyl lactylate Other | Safe | 6,116 |
| Sorbic Acid FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Safe | 5,492 |
| Sorbitan Monostearate EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PROCESSING AID, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT | Safe | 2,262 |
| Sorbitol Sweetener | Cut Back | 4,870 |
| Starch Thickener | Safe | 2,140 |
| Stearic Acid EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, FORMULATION AID, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT | Safe | 395 |
| Stevia Sweetener | Safe | 1,233 |
| Sucralose NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Avoid | 10,490 |
| Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, PROCESSING AID, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT | Safe | 415 |
| Sugar Sweetener | Cut Back | 159,806 |
| Sulfites Preservative | Certain People Should Avoid | 1,401 |
| Tagatose Sweetener | Cut Back | 22 |
| Tartaric acid Preservative | Safe | 2,329 |
| Taurine FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Safe | 1,239 |
| TBHQ Preservative | Avoid | 1,893 |
| Thaumatin FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Safe | 11 |
| Titanium Dioxide ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, DRYING AGENT, HUMECTANT, PROCESSING AID, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT, TRACER | Avoid | 8,386 |
| Torula yeast Flavoring | Safe | 2,515 |
| Trans Fat | Avoid | 147 |
| Transglutaminase Other | Caution | 15 |
| Triacetin Other | Safe | 110 |
| Vanillin COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT | Safe | 4,288 |
| Xylitol HUMECTANT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER | Cut Back | 915 |
| Yellow 5 | Avoid | 18,986 |
| Yellow 6 | Avoid | 13,559 |
| Yellow Prussiate Of Soda ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT | Safe | 151 |