Ingredient Rankings

Food ingredients ranked by safety score, product popularity, and regulatory status — derived from the FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) inventory, EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, and US state legislation. See our methodology for how each ranking is computed.

Most Controversial

1. 1
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Emulsifier · Banned
 2. 1
Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)
Fat/Oil · Banned
 3. 1
Potassium Bromate
Preservative · Banned
 4. 1
Propylparaben
Preservative · Banned
 5. 1
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
Color Additive · Banned
 6. 2
Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
Flour Treatment · Approved
 7. 2
Benzoic Acid
Preservative · Approved
 8. 2
Beta-Cyclodextrine
Thickener · Approved
 9. 2
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
Preservative · GRAS
 10. 2
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue)
Color Additive · Approved
 11. 2
Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)
Color Additive · Approved
 12. 2
Brown Ht
Color Additive · Approved
 13. 2
Calcium Benzoate
Preservative · Approved
 14. 2
Calcium Bisulphite
Food Additive · Approved
 15. 2
Calcium Phosphates
Emulsifier · Approved

Recently Banned by FDA

1
Potassium Bromate
Preservative · Banned 2025-01-15
 1
Propylparaben
Preservative · Banned 2025-01-15
 1
Red 3 (Erythrosine)
Color Additive · Banned 2025-01-15
 1
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)
Emulsifier · Banned 2024-07-02
 1
Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)
Fat/Oil · Banned 2018-06-18

Most Common in Products

1. 5
Citric Acid
17,953 products
 2. 5
Xanthan Gum
7,057 products
 3. 4
Garlic
5,542 products
 4. 3
Caramel Color
5,217 products
 5. 4
Guar Gum
4,479 products
 6. 4
Ascorbic Acid
4,447 products
 7. 5
Lactic Acid
3,851 products
 8. 3
Carrageenan
3,732 products
 9. 5
Sodium Citrate
3,699 products
 10. 4
Yeast Extract
3,607 products

Browse by Category

Acidity Regulator
8 ingredients
Anti-caking Agent
4 ingredients
Antioxidant
35 ingredients
Color Additive
100 ingredients
Color/Whitener
1 ingredient
Emulsifier
283 ingredients
Enzyme
43 ingredients
Fat/Oil
1 ingredient
Firming Agent
2 ingredients
Flavor
1 ingredient
Flavor Enhancer
358 ingredients
Flavoring Agent
2583 ingredients
Flour Treatment
1 ingredient
Food Additive
616 ingredients
Humectant
7 ingredients
Leavening Agent
5 ingredients
Nutrient Supplement
85 ingredients
Preservative
55 ingredients
Processing Aid
86 ingredients
Sequestrant
8 ingredients
Solvent
22 ingredients
Sweetener
52 ingredients
Texturizer
4 ingredients
Thickener
156 ingredients