Large king cake filled with strawberry and cream cheese

Why it's rated this way

12 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. 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.

5. Indigotine / indigo carmineModerate concernSynthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Synthetic dye; allergic-type reactions reported.

   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. Benzoic acidModerate concernPreservative; benzene-formation potential with ascorbic acid; intolerance reactions.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Preservative; benzene-formation potential with ascorbic acid; intolerance reactions.

   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. Sodium propionateMinor concernPropionate preservatives have been associated in limited studies with behavioural/irritability effects in children and with migraine in sensitive individuals; evidence is weak.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Propionate preservatives have been associated in limited studies with behavioural/irritability effects in children and with migraine in sensitive individuals; evidence is weak.

   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. Polysorbate 80Minor concernSynthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

    What it is

    Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

    Why it's flagged

    Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

    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.

11. 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.

12. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Minor concernSynthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

    What it is

    Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

    Why it's flagged

    Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

    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.