What food additives have been banned in the US?

November 24, 2025 •

3 min read

In recent years, several states, led by California in 2023, have passed legislation banning specific food additives, forcing federal regulators and manufacturers to re-evaluate their use. Understanding what food additives have been banned in the US is essential for making informed dietary choices and understanding the evolution of food safety standards. This shift highlights a growing consumer demand for clearer labeling and safer ingredients.

Quick Summary

This article explores the specific food additives, like Red Dye No. 3, brominated vegetable oil (BVO), and potassium bromate, that have been banned or delisted by federal or state actions in the U.S. It details the health concerns behind these bans and explains the regulatory process, including the role of the FDA and the influence of state laws on national change.

Key Points

Federal Bans: The FDA has recently banned key additives like Red Dye No. 3 and Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) based on conclusive scientific evidence linking them to health risks.
State-Level Impact: State laws, such as the California Food Safety Act, have driven national changes by banning specific additives like Red Dye No. 3, BVO, and potassium bromate, compelling manufacturers to reformulate products for a wider market.
Outdated System: Historically, the 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) loophole allowed many additives into the food supply without adequate testing, a system now under heavy public and regulatory scrutiny.
Other Scrutinized Additives: While not fully banned at the federal level, substances like potassium bromate and propylparaben are restricted in some areas due to health concerns, and others like BHA and BHT are under continued review.
Global Discrepancies: Many additives still permitted in the U.S. have been banned for years in Europe and other countries, highlighting a gap in global food safety standards.
Consumer Action: Reading ingredient labels for names like 'FD&C Red No. 3' and avoiding highly processed foods are key steps consumers can take to avoid potentially harmful additives.
Regulatory Momentum: Ongoing re-evaluation of food chemicals by the FDA, along with increased public pressure, is expected to lead to more regulation and removal of controversial additives.

A History of Changing Food Safety Standards

The regulation of food additives in the United States is a complex, evolving process governed primarily by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1958 introduced requirements for new food additives to be proven safe before they could be used. However, a category known as "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) allowed many substances already in use to continue without stringent pre-market approval. In many cases, it has taken decades for scientific evidence and consumer advocacy to compel regulators to take action on substances that were once widely accepted.

The Federal Ban of Red Dye No. 3

One of the most recent and prominent examples of a federally banned additive is Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine. For years, this synthetic dye was used to color candies, cereals, and maraschino cherries. It was first flagged as a potential carcinogen in the 1980s, leading the FDA to ban its use in cosmetics in 1990. However, its use in food persisted until January 2025, when a federal ban finally took effect. The ban was the result of a long push by consumer groups and mounting evidence linking the dye to thyroid cancer in male rats, aligning the U.S. with regulations already established in Europe.

The Banning of Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)

Brominated vegetable oil (BVO) was another widely used additive, primarily in citrus-flavored sodas and beverages, to prevent flavorings from separating. Concerns about BVO's health risks, including potential harm to the nervous system and thyroid, prompted consumer pressure. The FDA ultimately revoked BVO's authorization in 2024, citing new scientific evidence. This federal ban followed preemptive action at the state level, where California had already included BVO in its 2023 ban on several additives.

Comparing Banned and Regulated Food Additives


Additive	Primary Use	Reason for Concern	Federal Status	Broader International Status
Red Dye No. 3	Coloring for candies, cherries	Carcinogen risk (thyroid tumors)	Banned in food & drugs (Jan 2025)	Largely banned/restricted in EU, Japan
Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO)	Emulsifier in citrus drinks	Neurological and thyroid harm	Banned in food & drinks (Aug 2024)	Banned in EU, Japan, and India for many years
Potassium Bromate	Flour improver in baked goods	Carcinogen risk (kidney/thyroid tumors)	Legally permitted with limits	Banned in EU, Canada, Brazil
Propylparaben	Preservative in foods	Endocrine disruptor, reproductive harm	Legally permitted	Banned in EU for food use
Saccharin	Artificial sweetener	Historically linked to cancer in rats	Permitted with warning labels removed	Restricted or banned in some countries; controversial
Olestra	Fat substitute for snacks	Gastrointestinal issues, hinders vitamin absorption	Legally permitted, though less used	Banned in Canada, UK, and some EU countries

How State Regulations Influence National Change

The California Food Safety Act, signed into law in 2023, banned several food additives within the state, including Red Dye No. 3, BVO, potassium bromate, and propylparaben. While the law only applies to food sold in California, its economic impact is national. Many manufacturers have chosen to reformulate their products to comply with California's standards rather than produce different versions for different states. This market pressure often prompts federal action, as seen with the FDA bans on Red Dye No. 3 and BVO following California's lead. Other states have introduced similar legislation, creating momentum for broader regulatory reform.

The Ongoing Debate and Future of Additives

Beyond banned substances, other additives like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) have been under scrutiny, although they remain legal at the federal level. BHA and BHT are antioxidants used to prevent spoilage, but health harm concerns persist. The FDA continues to review and re-evaluate food chemicals, with a new Office of Food Chemical Safety established to address safety concerns. This ongoing scrutiny reflects a paradigm shift in food safety, pushing for clearer standards and prioritizing consumer health over industry convenience. As more information becomes available, the list of banned additives will likely continue to grow.

Conclusion

The landscape of food additive regulation in the US is not static. Recent federal actions to ban additives like Red Dye No. 3 and BVO, often propelled by state laws and consumer advocacy, demonstrate a move toward stricter oversight. While some additives are completely banned, others face new restrictions or heightened scrutiny. The dynamic nature of these regulations means consumers must remain vigilant by reading ingredient labels and staying informed about the chemicals used in their food. The future of food safety will likely involve more alignment with international standards and a more precautionary approach to ingredient approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

As of early 2025, the FDA has federally banned the food coloring Red Dye No. 3, also known as erythrosine, based on evidence linking it to cancer in rats. Other color additives, such as Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B, are also being phased out.

The FDA banned brominated vegetable oil (BVO) in 2024 after recent toxicology studies linked it to potential harm to the thyroid and nervous system. The decision was also influenced by state-level bans and evidence of BVO being banned in Europe and Japan for years.

While not federally banned, potassium bromate, a flour improver, has been banned in California and is heavily regulated elsewhere due to its status as a possible human carcinogen. Many other countries, including the UK and Brazil, have prohibited its use.

Yes, the California Food Safety Act, effective January 2027, also bans potassium bromate and propylparaben from being manufactured, sold, or distributed within the state. This has had a ripple effect on national food production.

Propylparaben, a preservative, is still legally permitted at the federal level but was included in California's 2023 ban due to concerns over its endocrine-disrupting properties. It is restricted for food use in the EU.

Olestra is a fat substitute that is legally permitted by the FDA, though its use has significantly declined due to consumer complaints about gastrointestinal side effects. It is banned in many other countries.

The 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) list is a category of additives the FDA has deemed safe for consumption based on long-term use or scientific procedures, bypassing rigorous testing. However, some substances initially on the GRAS list, like BVO, have been removed and subsequently banned after further review.