Yuka study on food additive approval in the European Union and the United States

Authors

Gabriela Mourad Vicenssuto, Nutrition Engineer at Yuka.
Zoé Kerlo, Toxicologist at Yuka.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to list the food additives used in the United States that are not authorized in the European Union.

Methodology

• The data comes from the analysis of European Union and United States regulations as of February 11, 2025.
• The European food additives regulations were consulted on the website: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02008R1333-20241216
• The United States food additives regulations were consulted on the websites: https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=FoodSubstances ; https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B
• The definition of a food additive follows that recognized by the Codex Alimentarius in Standard CODEX STAN 192-1995.
• A food additive is considered “in use” if it is present in at least 20 products that have been scanned more than 20 times over the 30 days preceding the study.

Results

List of additives banned in the European Union but allowed in the United States:

Titanium dioxide, Sodium Sorbate, Calcium Sorbate, Propylparaben, Ethoxyquin, Ammonium Phosphate, Diammonium Phosphate, Potassium Bromate, Azodicarbonamide, Chlorine, Smoke Flavor, Ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides.