FDA Status
Approved
Flour Treatment · CAS 123-77-3
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
FDA status: Approved. EU: Banned. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
2.0 / 5
Composite safety Caution
Score 2 of 5
Azodicarbonamide (ADA): 2/5 (Caution)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as banned.
The verdict
Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is FDA-approved, though the EU lists it as banned.
- 2/5
- Caution
- Approved
- FDA status
- Banned
- EU status
- 0
- state regulations
Azodicarbonamide (ADA), CAS 123-77-3, is a flour treatment additive holding a composite safety score of 2 out of 5 (Caution). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as Approved, while the European Union lists it as Banned. It is most commonly used as Bread, buns, pizza dough.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting Azodicarbonamide (ADA) to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Azodicarbonamide (ADA), which factors directly into the assigned safety score. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Banned | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | - | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 123-77-3 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Flour Treatment | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Banned
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)'s 2/5 (Caution) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA has approved Azodicarbonamide (ADA) for use in food products under specified conditions.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Azodicarbonamide (ADA). Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Azodicarbonamide (ADA) compares
Where a safety score of 2/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Azodicarbonamide (ADA) highlighted)
43 of 4,509 scored ingredients (1%) share a safety score of 2/5.
What is Azodicarbonamide (ADA)?
Flour bleaching agent. Also used in yoga mats.
Health Concerns
- Breaks down into semicarbazide during baking, a potential carcinogen. Banned in EU, UK, Australia.
Common Uses
Bread, buns, pizza dough
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azodicarbonamide (ADA) safe to consume?
Azodicarbonamide (ADA) has a safety score of 2/5 (Caution). Scientific studies have raised health concerns. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Azodicarbonamide (ADA) used for in food?
Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is commonly used as: Bread, buns, pizza dough. It belongs to the Flour Treatment category of food additives.
Is Azodicarbonamide (ADA) banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting Azodicarbonamide (ADA). However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Azodicarbonamide (ADA)?
The FDA classifies Azodicarbonamide (ADA) as "Approved", while the EU status is "Banned". The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Azodicarbonamide (ADA)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Azodicarbonamide (ADA): Breaks down into semicarbazide during baking, a potential carcinogen. Banned in EU, UK, Australia.. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Azodicarbonamide (ADA) calculated?
The safety score of 2/5 for Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
What to do about Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
This additive is flagged, worth checking labels for.
- Check the FDA status (Approved) and EU status (Banned) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- Compare it against the most-restricted additives in the U.S. supply. View rankings
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.