Frequently Asked Questions
What is FDA SAFFA?
FDA SAFFA (Substances Added to Food) is the FDA's comprehensive inventory of substances intentionally added to food in the United States. It includes substances that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), approved food additives (from petitions), color additives, and prior-sanctioned substances. It replaced the older EAFUS database.
What does GRAS mean?
GRAS stands for Generally Recognized as Safe. Under FDA regulations, a substance is GRAS if it is generally recognized among qualified experts as safe under the conditions of its intended use in food. GRAS status can be established through scientific procedures or through common use in food prior to 1958. GRAS means safe at normal food use levels — it does not mean zero risk at any dose.
Why do some US-approved additives get a low safety score?
PlainIngredients scores reflect more than FDA approval status alone. An ingredient may be FDA-approved but receive a lower score if it is banned in the European Union under EU Regulation 1333/2008, has been subject to state-level bans (such as California's Food Safety Act), or has peer-reviewed studies associating it with health concerns at normal consumption levels.
Which additives are commonly banned in the EU but allowed in the US?
Several food dyes permitted in the US are banned or restricted in the EU, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1. Potassium bromate (a flour improver), brominated vegetable oil (BVO), and certain preservatives like BHA and TBHQ are also restricted or banned in the EU while remaining permitted in the US (though use is declining).
What is California's Food Safety Act?
California's Food Safety Act (AB 418, signed 2023) banned five food additives in California: Red 3 (erythrosine), potassium bromate, brominated vegetable oil, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide. The law takes effect in 2027. PlainIngredients flags ingredients subject to state bans.
Does a high safety score mean I can eat unlimited amounts?
No. Safety scores reflect relative concerns about ingredients at normal food use levels. Even ingredients with a score of 5 (Generally Safe) can cause issues in excessive quantities. The scores are a guide to relative regulatory and scientific standing, not a recommendation for any particular consumption level.
Is PlainIngredients affiliated with the FDA?
No. PlainIngredients is an independent data portal presenting publicly available government and scientific data in a more accessible format. We are not affiliated with the FDA, USDA, or any government agency.