Regulation
California restrictions
Additives restricted by California's Food Safety Act, School Food Safety Act or Prop 65.
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Allura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) E320BHA (E320) is a synthetic preservative that keeps fats fresh. The US National Toxicology Program lists it as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."Best to avoidErythrosine (Red 3) E127Red 3 (E127) is a pink dye the FDA is removing from US food by 2027 because of cancer findings in rats. The EU already limits it to candied cherries.Best to avoidPotassium 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 avoidTartrazine (Yellow 5) E102Tartrazine (Yellow 5, E102) is a synthetic yellow dye linked to hyperactivity in some children and to hives in sensitive people. It must carry a warning in the EU.Best to avoid