Food Ingredient Safety Guides
Understand how the FDA evaluates food additives under its Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) framework, why state bans like California's AB 418 differ from federal rules, and how to use the 1–5 safety scores when reading ingredient labels. Each guide is grounded in the regulatory sources documented on our methodology page.
Understanding Food Additive Safety
How the FDA evaluates food additives through GRAS and formal petitions, what the SAFFA database shows, and how US standards compare internationally.
State Ingredient Regulations Explained
Why some states ban ingredients the FDA allows, the state-by-state regulatory landscape, and how California's AB 418 sparked a national wave of food safety laws.
How to Read PlainIngredients Safety Scores
How PlainIngredients calculates safety scores from 1 to 5, what factors are considered, and how to use scores when comparing products at the store.
Banned in Europe, Legal in the US
Which food ingredients are banned or restricted in the EU but still permitted in the US — comparison table with regulatory status and key concerns.
Food Dyes and Child Behavior
Research summary on artificial food colorings and hyperactivity in children — key studies, FDA vs. EU policy responses, and natural dye alternatives.
The FDA Food Dye Phaseout (2027)
Complete guide to the FDA phaseout of 6 petroleum-based food dyes by 2027. Which dyes are affected, state-level bans, timeline, and natural alternatives.
How to Read Food Ingredient Labels
What the order of ingredients means, how to spot hidden sugars, identify artificial colors and preservatives, and understand common ingredient name aliases.
Safest Food Brands by Ingredient Quality
Top 50 food brands ranked by average ingredient safety score. Over 100,000 products analyzed across thousands of brands.
Explore the Database
Methodology
Our guides are based on publicly available data from authoritative government sources. All statistics, ratings, and figures cited in these guides are drawn directly from official datasets and publications, with sources clearly referenced throughout.
We aim to present complex government data in plain language that is accessible to general audiences. When methodologies differ between data sources or change over time, we note these variations inline. Our editorial process includes regular reviews to ensure accuracy and timeliness of the information presented.