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
Acetamide
Flavoring Agent · Banned
 2. 1
Alkanet Root, Extract (alkanna Tinctoria Tausch)
Food Additive · Banned
 3. 1
Brominated Vegetable Oil
Food Additive · Banned
 4. 1
Calamus
Flavoring Agent · Banned
 5. 1
Calamus Extract
Food Additive · Banned
 6. 1
Calamus Oil
Flavoring Agent · Banned
 7. 1
Calcium Cyclamate
Sweetener · Banned
 8. 1
Chlorofluorocarbons
Food Additive · Banned
 9. 1
Cinnamyl Anthranilate
Flavoring Agent · Banned
 10. 1
Cobalt Sulfate
Food Additive · Banned
 11. 1
Cobaltous Chloride
Food Additive · Banned
 12. 1
Coumarin
Flavoring Agent · Banned
 13. 1
Cyclamate
Sweetener · Banned
 14. 1
Diethyl Pyrocarbonate
Food Additive · Banned
 15. 1
Dulcin
Sweetener · Banned

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
Food Additive · Banned 2024-08-02
 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
99 ingredients
Color/Whitener
1 ingredient
Emulsifier
282 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
611 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