Free tool

Paste a label, check every additive

Paste the ingredient list from any food product and instantly see a safety score for every recognized additive, matched against the FDA SAFFA inventory and EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.

1–5
safety score per additive
FDA + EU
status checked
Instant
no sign-up, runs in-browser

According to the FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) inventory, more than 4,516 additives are permitted in the U.S. food supply (data current as of May 2026). This checker matches each label entry against that database and the EU additive list; see our methodology for how scores are derived.

Health Information Notice

This tool provides informational data about food additives. It is not medical or dietary advice. For health concerns related to specific ingredients, consult a healthcare professional.

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How to Use This Tool

  1. Find the ingredient list on a food product label. It is usually on the back or side, under "Ingredients."
  2. Copy the full list or type it into the box above. Include everything after "Ingredients:" on the label.
  3. Click "Check Ingredients" to see safety scores for each recognized additive.
  4. Click any ingredient name to visit its full detail page with FDA status, state bans, EU status, and health concerns.

What the Scores Mean

1 Banned - FDA has banned this ingredient
2 Caution - Approved but significant concerns
3 Mixed Evidence - Some concerns, debated
4 Low Risk - Generally considered safe
5 Generally Safe - GRAS status, strong safety record

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the ingredient checker work?

Paste an ingredient list from any food label into the text box. The tool splits the text by commas, parentheses, and common separators, then matches each term against our database of over 4,500 food ingredients. Recognized ingredients display their safety score, category, and a link to their full detail page.

What do the safety scores mean?

Safety scores range from 1 to 5. A score of 1 means the ingredient is banned by the FDA. A score of 2 indicates caution, the ingredient is approved but has significant scientific concerns. Scores of 3, 4, and 5 indicate mixed evidence, low risk, and generally safe, respectively.

Why are some ingredients not recognized?

Unrecognized ingredients may be whole foods (flour, sugar, salt), brand-specific formulations, or ingredients not yet in our database. Whole foods are generally safe and do not have safety scores. Our database focuses on food additives, preservatives, colorings, sweeteners, and other processed food ingredients.

Is this tool a substitute for medical advice?

No. This tool provides informational safety data based on FDA and EFSA regulatory status, state-level bans, and published research. It is not medical or dietary advice. If you have allergies, sensitivities, or health conditions, consult a healthcare professional.

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.