The 10 Worst FDA-Approved Food Ingredients in the USA.
Some FDA-approved additives are still widely criticized due to health concerns. Below is a list of 10 ingredients that raise red flags among health experts and consumer advocates.
1. Artificial Food Dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
3. BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
4. Potassium Bromate
8. Olestra (Olean)
Note: These ingredients are still permitted by the FDA, but many are banned or restricted elsewhere. While not all pose immediate toxicity, long-term health concerns have been raised.
Some FDA-approved additives are still widely criticized due to health concerns. Below is a list of 10 ingredients that raise red flags among health experts and consumer advocates.
1. Artificial Food Dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
- Found in: Candies, cereals, sodas
- Concerns: Linked to hyperactivity in children, potential carcinogens, allergic reactions
- Banned or restricted in: Europe (warning labels or banned in some products)
- Found in: Chips, cereals, baked goods
- Concerns: Classified as “possibly carcinogenic” by the WHO; tumor formation in lab animals
- Banned in: Japan, EU
3. BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
- Found in: Cereals, gum, snack foods
- Concerns: May disrupt hormones; affects behavior in animal studies
- Banned in: Some European countries
4. Potassium Bromate
- Found in: Bread, baked goods
- Concerns: Linked to cancer in animal studies
- Banned in: EU, UK, China, Brazil
- Found in: Baked goods, processed snacks
- Concerns: Hormone disruptor, possible effects on fertility
- Banned in: EU
- Found in: Candies, gum, coffee creamers
- Concerns: Potential DNA damage (genotoxicity)
- Banned in: EU (food use)
- Found in: Processed meats (bacon, ham, hot dogs)
- Concerns: Forms nitrosamines linked to colorectal cancer
- Use restricted in: Several countries
8. Olestra (Olean)
- Found in: Fat-free chips and snacks
- Concerns: Causes digestive issues (cramping, diarrhea), blocks vitamin absorption
- Use declined due to consumer complaints
- Found in: Bread, dough conditioners
- Concerns: Breaks down into possible carcinogens; also used in plastics
- Banned in: EU, Australia, UK
- Found in: Sodas, sauces, processed foods
- Concerns: Linked to obesity, fatty liver, type 2 diabetes
- Still widely used in the U.S., avoided in many other countries
Note: These ingredients are still permitted by the FDA, but many are banned or restricted elsewhere. While not all pose immediate toxicity, long-term health concerns have been raised.
