📋🧪 Food and Beverage Additive Bans in Europe

Several food additives are allowed in the United States but banned or restricted in Europe due to health concerns. For North American food and beverage companies it is important to take note of these additives before launching your products in these global markets. See some of the most common banned or restricted additives in Europe below and connect with an AMI representative to learn more about how you can access these profitable markets:

🔹 BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): These are antioxidants used to preserve fats and oils in food products like cereals, chips, and processed meats. In the U.S., they are permitted, but in Europe, there is significant concern over their potential links to cancer, leading to restrictions.

🔹 Red 40 (Allura Red AC): A synthetic food dye commonly used in candies, beverages, and processed foods in the U.S. Europe has more stringent regulations around artificial food coloring, and some countries have banned, limited the use, or required warning labels for certain dyes including Red 40, due to concerns about hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenic effects.

🔹 Propylene Glycol: While widely used in the U.S. as a stabilizer and humectant in foods like salad dressings and baked goods, it is restricted in Europe due to concerns about its potential toxicity and its effect on the kidneys and nervous system. The EU has stricter regulations for usage levels in food compared to the US.

🔹 TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone): A synthetic antioxidant used to extend the shelf life of processed foods and oils. It is approved in the US and generally in the EU but European regulators have more stringent limits on its use due to potential risks at higher levels of consumption, including effects on the liver and immune system.

🔹 Olestra: A fat substitute used in low-fat and fat-free snack foods in the U.S. It has been linked to digestive issues, and because of these concerns, it is not approved for use in Europe.

While these additives are generally considered safe by U.S. regulators like the FDA, Europe’s stricter approach to food safety leads to different regulations, often based on caution, which requires more proof of safety before substances are allowed in food. The list above is not comprehensive and can change country to country. Connect with an AMI representative to guide you through European ingredient regulations. You may also follow the AMI page to learn more about global ingredient restrictions and how Athena can consult on how to take your product to new audiences.