1/2 white grad cake with red borders

Why it's rated this way

10 additives on this label are on our additives-of-concern list.

1. TartrazineHigh concernSouthampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

2. Sunset yellow FCFHigh concernSouthampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

3. Allura red ACHigh concernSouthampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

4. Titanium dioxideHigh concernPossible genotoxicity (DNA/chromosomal damage) could not be ruled out; no longer considered safe as a food additive.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Possible genotoxicity (DNA/chromosomal damage) could not be ruled out; no longer considered safe as a food additive.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

5. ErythrosineModerate concernIodine-based red dye; thyroid effects in animal studies; restricted uses.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Iodine-based red dye; thyroid effects in animal studies; restricted uses.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

6. Brilliant blue FCFModerate concernSynthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported in sensitive individuals.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Synthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported in sensitive individuals.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

7. Ammonia caramelModerate concernCaramel colour class III; may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), an animal carcinogen.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Caramel colour class III; may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), an animal carcinogen.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

8. Sodium benzoateModerate concernPreservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Preservative; can form trace benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid; implicated in child hyperactivity studies.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

9. Calcium phosphatesMinor concernInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

10. DiphosphatesMinor concernInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

    What it is

    Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

    Why it's flagged

    Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

    Regulatory basis

    Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

    How sure we are

    High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

A food's rating also reflects nutrition (Nutri-Score) and processing (NOVA); the additives above are the ingredient-level part of it.