E928 Benzoyl peroxide

E928Flour treatment agentsOrigin: Lab-made

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Every diet

VeganYes

Gluten-freeNo

Used to bleach wheat flour.

HalalYes

KosherYes

KetoNo

Found in white flour products.

Low-FODMAPNo

Found in wheat flour, which is high-FODMAP.

The short answer

Benzoyl peroxide (E928) bleaches flour white overnight. It's legal in the US and Canada but banned in the EU, and it destroys some of the vitamin E in flour. It's not on the label in most cases.

55/100

Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE928

Comes fromLab-made

What it doesFlour treatment agents

Glycemic index—

Daily limitNot set

Also calledBenzoyl peroxide, Dibenzoyl peroxide

Bake with unbleached flour

Clean-label swaps

Clean grocery swap

Unbleached all-purpose flour

Works 1:1 in any recipe; just a little creamier in color.

Shop unbleached flour Opens your country’s Amazon store

Clean substitute

Unbleached cake flour

Soft, tender cakes without bleaching agents.

Shop unbleached cake flour Opens your country’s Amazon store

Health store

Organic flour

Certified organic flour is never chemically bleached.

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved

🇪🇺 European UnionBanned

🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits

CaliforniaNo extra rules

GRAS in the US for bleaching flour, milk for some cheeses, and whey. Canada allows it in flour. Not allowed in food in the EU or the UK.

Daily limit: No safe daily amount has been set.

What is it?

Benzoyl peroxide whitens flour by bleaching its natural yellow pigments. It breaks down into benzoic acid, so little of it remains, but the bleaching also destroys some nutrients. It's usually hidden in the word "bleached."

Where it comes from: A lab-made bleaching agent, the same active ingredient as in many acne creams.

Why it’s in food

Bleaches flour white
Whitens milk for blue cheese and some cheeses
Bleaches whey
Speeds up flour aging

Often found in

Bleached all-purpose flourCake flourWhite bread and bunsBlue cheese and Gorgonzola (in the US)Whey proteinBiscuits and pastries

Also listed as: Benzoyl peroxide, Dibenzoyl peroxide, Benzoyl superoxide

Health & gut impact

NutrientsConcern

Bleaching destroys carotenoids and some vitamin E naturally present in flour.

JECFA evaluation of benzoyl peroxide (WHO)

ResiduesUnder study

It breaks down mostly into benzoic acid, a preservative that is safe in small amounts.

JECFA evaluation of benzoyl peroxide (WHO)

What can I use instead?

Unbleached flour

Ratio: 1:1

Best for: Bread, cookies and pastry

Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Ratio: To label

Best for: Dough strength without bleaching

More flour treatment agents:

Azodicarbonamide (ADA) E927aAzodicarbonamide (ADA, E927a) is a dough conditioner that's banned in the EU but still legal in US bread. Baking turns some of it into semicarbazide, a possible carcinogen, so it's one to avoid.Best to avoid L-Cysteine E920L-cysteine (E920) softens dough in bagels and pizza crust. It's often made from duck feathers or pig hair, so it's only reliably vegan or halal when certified.Use in moderation Potassium Bromate E924Potassium bromate (E924) is a dough strengthener banned in the EU, UK and Canada because it causes cancer in animals. It's still legal in the US; look for "bromated flour."Best to avoid

Common questions

Is Benzoyl peroxide safe?

Use in moderation (55/100). GRAS in the US for bleaching flour, milk for some cheeses, and whey. Canada allows it in flour. Not allowed in food in the EU or the UK.

Is Benzoyl peroxide vegan?

Yes.

Is Benzoyl peroxide gluten-free?

No. Used to bleach wheat flour.

Is bleached flour bad for you?

It's legal and the residues are small, but bleaching removes some nutrients. Unbleached flour is a simple 1:1 swap.

Why isn't benzoyl peroxide on the label?

In the US the flour is simply labeled "bleached." The bleaching agent could also be chlorine, so you can't tell which was used.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations

21 CFR 184.1157 (US FDA)
EFSA OpenFoodTox: E928
JECFA evaluation of benzoyl peroxide (WHO)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 928 · CAS 94-36-0