Ingredient Safety Glossary
Plain-English safety profiles for 72 food and personal care additives, including severity ratings, E-numbers, aliases, and source citations from IARC, FDA, EFSA, WHO, and EWG.
38
High concern
28
Medium concern
6
Low concern
High Concern
(38)Sodium Nitrite
HIGHIARC classifies processed meat containing nitrites as a Group 1 carcinogen (causes colorectal cancer).
Source: IARC / WHO
Sodium Nitrate
HIGHConverts to nitrite in the body; linked to colorectal cancer risk when consumed in processed meats.
Source: IARC / WHO
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
HIGHFDA banned Red 3 in food and ingested drugs in January 2025 after studies showed it causes thyroid tumours in male rats.
Source: FDA
Potassium Bromate
HIGHIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen.
Source: IARC
Titanium Dioxide
HIGHEU banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2022.
Source: EFSA / EU Commission
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
HIGHIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen.
Source: IARC / NTP
Butylparaben
HIGHEndocrine disruptor that mimics oestrogen.
Source: EWG / EU Commission
Propylparaben
HIGHEndocrine disruptor; affects testosterone and male reproductive function in animal studies.
Source: EWG / EFSA
DMDM Hydantoin
HIGHPreservative that slowly releases formaldehyde (an IARC Group 1 carcinogen) as it breaks down.
Source: EWG / IARC
Quaternium-15
HIGHOne of the most common formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
Source: EWG / ACDS
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3)
HIGHFDA proposed in 2021 that oxybenzone cannot be classified as "generally recognised as safe" due to endocrine disruption concerns.
Source: FDA
Triclosan
HIGHFDA banned triclosan from over-the-counter antibacterial soaps in 2016, concluding it was not proven safe.
Source: FDA
Partially Hydrogenated Oils
HIGHFDA revoked GRAS status for partially hydrogenated oils in 2018 because artificial trans fats raise LDL cholesterol, lower HDL, and increase heart attack and stroke risk.
Source: FDA / WHO
Brominated Vegetable Oil
HIGHFDA revoked authorisation for BVO in July 2024 after studies showed it accumulates in the body and causes harm to the thyroid.
Source: FDA
Cocamide DEA
HIGHIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen.
Source: IARC / California OEHHA
Red 2 (Amaranth)
HIGHBanned in the USA since 1976 after studies indicated it may cause cancer in animals.
Source: FDA
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen (causes kidney cancer and testicular cancer in humans).
Source: IARC
PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid)
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen.
Source: IARC
DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate)
HIGHIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen.
Source: IARC / EU ECHA
DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)
HIGHEU reproductive toxin Category 1B.
Source: EU ECHA / EWG
BBP (Benzyl Butyl Phthalate)
HIGHEU reproductive toxin.
Source: EU ECHA
Glyphosate
HIGHIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen.
Source: IARC
Chlorpyrifos
HIGHOrganophosphate neurotoxin.
Source: EPA
Atrazine
HIGHOne of the most common drinking water contaminants in the US.
Source: EPA / NRDC
Lead
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen (inorganic lead compounds).
Source: IARC / WHO
Arsenic
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen.
Source: IARC / WHO
Cadmium
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen — causes lung and kidney cancer.
Source: IARC / EFSA
Mercury
HIGHPotent neurotoxin.
Source: WHO
Talc (Talcum Powder)
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen for perineal (genital) use — classified as causing ovarian cancer in 2023.
Source: IARC
1,4-Dioxane
HIGHIARC Group 2B possible carcinogen.
Source: IARC / EPA
Hydroquinone
HIGHSkin-lightening agent.
Source: EWG / EU Commission
Formaldehyde
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen — causes nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia.
Source: IARC
Coal Tar
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen for coal tar pitch.
Source: IARC / EWG
Toluene
HIGHSolvent used in nail polishes and hair dyes.
Source: EWG / EU Commission
DEA / TEA / MEA (Ethanolamines)
HIGHCan react with nitrites in formulations to form carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Source: EWG / EU Commission
Styrene
HIGHIARC Group 2A probable carcinogen.
Source: IARC / NTP
Perchloroethylene (PERC)
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen.
Source: IARC / EPA
Benzene
HIGHIARC Group 1 carcinogen — causes leukaemia and other blood cancers.
Source: IARC / FDA
Medium Concern
(28)Aspartame
MEDIUMIARC classified aspartame as a Group 2B possible carcinogen in July 2023, noting limited evidence of liver cancer in humans.
Source: IARC / WHO
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
MEDIUMEWG rates BHT with high concern for cancer.
Source: EWG / NIH NTP
Red 40 (Allura Red)
MEDIUMOne of the "Southampton Six" food dyes.
Source: EFSA / Lancet
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
MEDIUMSouthampton Six dye linked to hyperactivity in children.
Source: EFSA / Lancet
Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
MEDIUMSouthampton Six dye.
Source: EFSA
Blue 2 (Indigotine)
MEDIUMAnimal studies showed statistically elevated brain tumour rates in male rats.
Source: EWG / FDA
Sodium Benzoate
MEDIUMReacts with Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in drinks to form benzene, an IARC Group 1 carcinogen.
Source: FDA / EFSA
Methylparaben
MEDIUMWidely used preservative with oestrogenic activity.
Source: EWG
Ethylparaben
MEDIUMOestrogenic activity similar to other parabens.
Source: EWG
Imidazolidinyl Urea
MEDIUMFormaldehyde-releasing preservative.
Source: EWG
Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate)
MEDIUMFDA flagged as needing more safety data in 2021.
Source: FDA
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
MEDIUMCan be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane (an IARC Group 2B probable carcinogen) during manufacturing.
Source: EWG / FDA
Carrageenan
MEDIUMAnimal studies show degraded carrageenan causes intestinal inflammation, ulceration, and colon tumours.
Source: NIH / Cornucopia Institute
Polysorbate 80
MEDIUMA 2015 Nature study found polysorbate 80 disrupts gut microbiota, promotes low-grade inflammation, and accelerated obesity and metabolic syndrome in mice.
Source: NIH / Nature
Sulphites / Sulfites
MEDIUMMandatory allergen under EU and UK food law.
Source: FDA / FSA
Fragrance / Parfum
MEDIUMA single "fragrance" listing can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including known allergens, endocrine disruptors, and sensitisers.
Source: EWG
Propyl Gallate
MEDIUMAntioxidant preservative suspected of endocrine disruption.
Source: EWG / NIH
Caramel Colour (Class IV)
MEDIUMClass IV caramel colour is produced using ammonia and sulfites, generating 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a California Prop 65 listed possible carcinogen.
Source: California OEHHA / IARC
Green 3 (Fast Green FCF)
MEDIUMAnimal studies found bladder and testes tumours at high doses.
Source: EWG / FDA
Ponceau 4R (Red 102)
MEDIUMOne of the Southampton Six food dyes linked to hyperactivity in children.
Source: EFSA / Lancet
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)
MEDIUMA 2015 Nature study found CMC disrupts gut microbiota, promotes low-grade intestinal inflammation, and increases obesity and metabolic syndrome risk in mice.
Source: NIH / Nature
Polysorbate 60
MEDIUMSame class of emulsifier as polysorbate 80.
Source: EWG / NIH
High Fructose Corn Syrup
MEDIUMLinked to metabolic syndrome, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Source: WHO / NIH
Sucralose
MEDIUMWHO 2023 guidelines advise against non-sugar sweeteners.
Source: WHO / Journal of Toxicology
GenX Chemicals
MEDIUMDeveloped as a replacement for PFOA but exhibits similar toxicity and persistence.
Source: EPA
Aluminium Salts
MEDIUMUsed in antiperspirants.
Source: EWG
Resorcinol
MEDIUMUsed in hair dyes and acne treatments.
Source: EWG / EU Commission
Cyclopentasiloxane (D5)
MEDIUMSilicone compound used in hair care and moisturisers.
Source: EU ECHA
Lower Concern
(6)Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue)
LOWEWG flags concern over data gaps in safety studies.
Source: EWG
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
LOWPotent skin irritant.
Source: EWG
Saccharin
LOWCaused bladder cancer in male rats at high doses, triggering a 1977 US ban that was later reversed.
Source: WHO / NTP
Acesulfame Potassium
LOWLimited long-term safety data.
Source: WHO
EDTA (Disodium EDTA)
LOWChelating agent that enhances absorption of other chemicals through skin and gut.
Source: EWG
Potassium Sorbate
LOWEWG rates with low-to-moderate concern.
Source: EWG
Data sourced from IARC, FDA, EFSA, WHO and EWG public data. For informational purposes only. This database does not constitute medical or legal advice. Learn more about ProductSafer.