What this checker does
Citric Acid is #1 of 417 additives with tracked product presence (17,953 products) at state-ban rank 0 of 8 state-regulated additives (17953 states) ≠ Red 3 #1 state-ban burden at 10 states (prevalence #0 of 417). Paste any label above to see which additives match this index.
- 17,953
- Citric Acid products (#1 shelf)
- 10
- Red 3 states (#1 bans)
- #0
- Citric Acid state-ban rank
- #0
- Red 3 prevalence rank
Database vintage September 2026. Shelf prevalence and state-ban counts come from Open Food Facts product links and tracked state legislation; whole foods and brand-only terms may not match.
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.
Most state-regulated additives at a glance
No label handy? These 8 state-regulated additives show where lawmakers have moved furthest ahead of, or in conflict with, federal policy. Paste any list above for a full breakdown.
Shelf prevalence leader: Citric Acid (17,953 tracked products), but it is not the same as the state-ban leader Red 3 (10 states).
Recognized Ingredients
Not in Database
These may be whole foods, brand-specific formulations, or ingredients not yet in our database.
How to Use This Tool
- Find the ingredient list on a food product label. It is usually on the back or side, under "Ingredients."
- Copy the full list or type it into the box above. Include everything after "Ingredients:" on the label.
- Click "Check Ingredients" to see safety scores for each recognized additive.
- Click any ingredient name to visit its full detail page with FDA status, state bans, EU status, and health concerns.
What the Scores Mean
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.