7 Food Additives To Watch Out For
Key takeaways:
- The FDA's ban on Red Dye 3 has brought attention to the broader issue of food additives, many of which remain unregulated in the U.S. despite being banned in other countries.
- Some food additives raise general health concerns about cancer risks, while others, like high-fructose corn syrup and emulsifiers, have more specific links to diabetes and insulin resistance.
- Though harmful additives may be present in everyday products, reading food labels is an easy way to avoid them.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s recent ban of Red Dye No. 3 has reignited an ongoing conversation about common food additives that could be harmful to our health. A food additive is an ingredient added to food for a specific purpose, such as maintaining freshness or improving taste and texture.
It is important to know that food manufacturers who use Red Dye 3 have until January 15, 2027 to remove Red Dye 3 from their products (though consumers could see Red Dye 3 as an ingredient past this date if the product was manufactured prior to 2027).
Researchers have voiced their concerns about the FDA’s approach to regulating food additives, emphasizing that a loophole allows the food industry to include thousands of potentially harmful ingredients in their products without any oversight from the FDA.
By conducting their own safety research, U.S. companies can label food additives "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) and bypass formal FDA review. GRAS designations were originally intended for ingredients with an established history of being safe to ingest, like sugar and vinegar. However, an analysis found that almost 99% of food additives introduced in the last two decades went through GRAS determination – meaning the regulation of these additives has been left in the hands of the food companies that produce them.
This is in contrast to the European Union (EU), which requires a rigorous safety review of any food additives by a third-party federal agency known as the European Food Safety Authority. For context, the EU banned Red Dye 3 over 30 years ago due to concerns that it could cause cancer. The EU has since banned many other potentially harmful additives that are still allowed in the U.S.
Though the ban on Red Dye 3 is good news, it’s important to be mindful of which other food additives may still exist in our daily diets, and how to keep an eye out for ones that could have negative effects on health.
What’s the link between food additives and diabetes?
While artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and sucralose, have been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, research is mixed on whether consuming these sweeteners in moderate amounts has a significant effect on gut health, body weight, and insulin sensitivity.
Food and beverages with artificial sweeteners may still be a better alternative than those with high-fructose corn syrup and other added sugars. Rina Hisamatsu, a registered dietician at Michigan Medicine, said that using these sweeteners in moderation may be a helpful substitute for people who are used to regularly consuming food and carbonated drinks that are high in sugar.
“For example, replacing sugar-sweetened beverages with water that is lightly flavored with sugar-free flavorings may be one way to encourage folks to increase their water intake and significantly cut down on sugar intake,” she said.
Emulsifiers are another group of food additives that have been linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Emulsifiers are added to foods like ice cream, pastries, and mayonnaise to prevent separation and enhance shelf life. Examples of emulsifiers include tripotassium phosphate and carrageenans. Studies have shown that exposure to carrageenan may contribute to insulin resistance in people who are overweight by causing inflammation in the gut.
Nitrates and nitrites, which are used mainly in processed meats to add a pink coloration and improve shelf life, are other common food additives also associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
While these additives are not completely banned in Europe, their use is under much stricter control. For example, carrageenans are commonly used in U.S. infant formula but are banned in European infant formula. The EU has also recently implemented regulations that significantly reduce the maximum allowed levels of nitrates and nitrites in food.
How to avoid additives in food
The American Diabetes Association’s 2025 Standards of Care suggests limiting foods and beverages that have added sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, and trans fats, as well as reducing overall sugar intake and calories, regardless of artificial sweetener use.
“High-fructose corn syrup and trans fats may contribute to insulin resistance and inflammation,” said Caroline Thomason, a registered dietician and certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES). “High-fructose corn syrup, in particular, has been linked to worsening blood sugar control and fatty liver deposits.”
Thomason suggests that people with diabetes read ingredient labels on food products carefully to avoid harmful additives like high-fructose corn syrup, added sweeteners, and hydrogenated oils.
“In general, choosing less processed foods with short, recognizable ingredient lists is always the best approach for balanced blood sugar control,” she said.
Many food additives that have been banned in Europe may still be found on nutrition labels of foods in the U.S. Here are a few that you may consider avoiding during your next trip to the grocery store.
Food additives to avoid
1. Red Dye 3
Red Dye 3, also known as erythrosine or FD&C Red No 3, is a synthetic food colorant that gives a bright red or pink color to many candies, baked goods, and sweetened beverages. After animal studies showed that high doses of Red Dye 3 could cause cancer in lab rats, it was banned from cosmetic products in 1990. Shortly after, the FDA announced its intention to remove Red Dye 3’s authorization in food products but did not take action due to a lack of resources.
On January 15, 2025, the FDA issued an order to ban Red Dye 3 from food and ingested drugs based on the Delaney Clause, which prohibits the authorization of a food additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals.
While the ban marks a significant step in the right direction of food safety, Red Dye 3 will likely remain in many products for several more years, even after the ban. Some examples of foods containing the dye include fruit juices, Fruit by the Foot, Trolli Sour Crunchy Crawlers, and Jelly Belly candies. Popsicles, pastry decorations, cough syrups, gummy vitamins, and strawberry-flavored drinks also may contain Red Dye 3.
2. Titanium dioxide
The FDA is currently reviewing a petition to ban titanium dioxide, which is a synthetic white pigment used as a color additive in many baked goods and candies.
Although the EU banned the use of titanium dioxide in food products in 2022 due to concerns about its potential to cause DNA and chromosomal damage, the FDA still considers it safe to consume, as long as the amount does not exceed 1% by weight of the food.
Since titanium dioxide does not require explicit mention on food labels (it usually appears as “artificial color”) it’s difficult to pinpoint which items in the grocery store contain it. Some known products with titanium dioxide include Skittles, Sour Patch Kids, certain Campbell’s soups, Wegmans Mac and Cheese, and Lunchables meal kits. It can also be found in coffee creamers, toothpaste, salad dressings, and sauces.
3. Azodicarbonamide
Another whitening agent used in cereal flour and as a dough conditioner in bread is azodicarbonamide. This additive is also used in the manufacturing of rubber or plastic products as a chemical foaming agent, causing the products to expand when heated.
There are reports of azodicarbonamide inducing asthma in employees who work in places where the compound is manufactured or handled. In addition, the breakdown of azodicarbonamide during the bread-making process has been found to cause tumors in mice.
Azodicarbonamide is not only banned from food products in the EU, it’s also banned in plastics that come into contact with food. Some U.S. companies, like Subway, have removed it from their ingredients, but it’s still considered a safe additive by the FDA and remains in many bread products today.
4. Potassium bromate
Potassium bromate is also used in flour, mostly for strengthening dough and improving elasticity. Animal studies dating back to the 1980s have demonstrated its role as a carcinogen, particularly in the kidneys and thyroid. More recent studies have found that it may have damaging effects on the nervous system.
Potassium bromate is another food additive banned in the EU but not in the U.S. However, the FDA reported that it has worked with the American Bakers Association to ensure that safe levels of the additive are used in baked goods.
5. Brominated vegetable oil
Used in citrus beverages to prevent separation, brominated vegetable oil (BVO) used to be a common ingredient in sodas and sports drinks, like Fanta and Powerade. However, Pepsi and Coca-Cola removed BVO from their products over 10 years ago so their ingredients are consistent around the world, including places like Japan and the EU where BVO has been banned since the early 2000s.
In July 2024, the FDA issued a final rule to ban BVO from food and beverages based on animal studies that showed a buildup of BVO and thyroid dysfunction in rats who ingested the additive. Since most companies have already replaced BVO with an alternative ingredient, very few beverages still contain BVO today. Manufacturers have until August 2, 2025, to remove any remaining BVO from their products.
6. Propylparaben
The use of propylparaben, an antimicrobial agent, was banned from food products in the EU back in 2006, but it is still allowed in the U.S. under GRAS designation. While many cosmetic companies have removed this ingredient, labeling their products as “paraben-free,” propylparaben can still be found in baked goods like Cafe Valley muffins and Weight Watchers cakes, as well as tortillas and trail mix.
Animal studies from the early 2000s found that rats who ingested propylparaben had a decreased sperm count. Later studies in women showed that the food additive was associated with diminished fertility and breast cancer. A recent review of both animal and human studies concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove the safety of propylparaben in cosmetics and foods. Despite this, the FDA still considers the additive safe to use at levels up to 0.1% of the food's weight.
7. BHA and BHT
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are both synthetic antioxidants that are used as food preservatives, especially in ultra-processed foods such as cereals, potato chips, baked goods, and preserved meats.
Animal studies demonstrating potential cancer risks, skin irritation, and hormone disruption led to the ban of these preservatives in Europe and other countries. While the FDA still considers BHA to be a safe food additive, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has listed BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
Are all food additives harmful?
Many of the above additives, including brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red Dye 3, have been banned in California following the 2023 California Food Safety Act. Other states have followed suit, with bans on certain food additives going into effect in January 2027.
That said, not all food additives are bad. In fact, some may offer health benefits.
“There are many beneficial food additives for folks with diabetes including fiber-based ingredients like chicory root fiber and psyllium husk fiber, which slow glucose absorption, or probiotics that support gut health and insulin function,” said Thomason.
Guar gum, which is derived from a type of legume called guar beans, is commonly used as a thickening agent in foods like ice cream, yogurt, and pudding. Research has shown that its role as a fiber-rich dietary supplement with prebiotic properties may lend itself to managing digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Guar gum has also been found to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as reduce A1C levels in people with type 2 diabetes. While these health benefits seem promising, consuming guar gum in large amounts should be avoided. In the 1990s, the FDA banned the use of guar gum in weight loss products after reports of esophageal and bowel obstructions. Now, its use in food is regulated at much lower levels to prevent these health risks.
Ascorbic acid, the synthetic form of vitamin C, is another common food additive that could have health benefits. It helps preserve the color, flavor, and freshness of foods by preventing oxidation, which can cause spoilage and discoloration. Its antioxidant properties have been shown to help support the immune system, improve iron absorption from food, promote collagen production, prevent the development of cancers, and even protect neurological and cardiovascular health.
The bottom line
The recent FDA ban on Red Dye 3 has sparked renewed concerns about the regulation of food additives, many of which are still allowed in the U.S. despite being banned in Europe due to potential health risks.
It’s always a good idea to read nutrition labels before purchasing products; if you’re not sure what an ingredient is, a quick Google search should tell you if it’s harmful or not. Keep in mind that not all food additives are harmful – others may offer health benefits. This highlights the need for more research and better regulatory oversight so that people with diabetes can make informed choices about the foods they eat.
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