Flavor Enhancer · CAS 61-90-5
L-leucine
FDA status: Approved. EU: not separately listed. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, L-leucine 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). By tracked product count it ranks #345 of 417.
- #345 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
L-leucine is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #345 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (14th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #345 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Regulatory snapshot
L-leucine: composite 4/5 (Low Risk) with FDA Approved.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Not separately listed | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | - | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 61-90-5 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Flavor Enhancer | 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 | 2 | 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 L-leucine?
L-leucine (CAS 61-90-5) is an FDA-regulated food substance used as flavor enhancer, flavoring agent or adjuvant, nutrient supplement.
Common Uses
Catalog-profile peer axes
Nationwide catalog-profile peers for L-leucine
Product-count (2) 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 L-leucine safe to consume?
L-leucine scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. In the lower-concern band the federal listing is the primary signal. Moderation still applies to any additive.
What is L-leucine used for in food?
L-leucine is commonly used as: flavor enhancer, flavoring agent or adjuvant, nutrient supplement. It belongs to the Flavor Enhancer category of food additives.
Where does L-leucine sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #345 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.