Food Additive · EU 284
Boric Acid
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Boric Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #367 of 417.
- #367 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Boric Acid is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #367 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (0th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #367 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
Boric Acid: composite 4/5 (Low Risk) with FDA Approved and EU Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 284 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Food Additive | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 1 | 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.
What is Boric Acid?
Boric Acid is a food additive (284) classified as food additive.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of boric acid -E 284- and sodium tetraborate -borax- -E 285- as food additives.
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for Boric Acid
Product-count (1) and safety-score (4/5) peer columns, disjoint link sets.
Score 4/5 peers (≥50 OFF products)
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Boric Acid safe to consume?
Boric Acid scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. In the lower-concern band the federal listing is the primary signal; EU status is Approved. Moderation still applies to any additive.
What is Boric Acid used for in food?
Boric Acid is commonly used as: Various processed foods. It belongs to the Food Additive category of food additives.
Where does Boric Acid sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #367 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Boric Acid?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Boric Acid: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of boric acid -E 284- and sodium tetraborate -borax- -E 285- as food additives.. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.