Why Does the US Allow Ingredients Banned Elsewhere?
The answer: GRAS status. The FDA created the Generally Recognized as Safe designation in the 1950s, allowing ingredients to be used without formal safety review. The EU took a different approach with EFSA in 2002, requiring positive safety evidence before permitting any additive. This regulatory asymmetry explains why over 40 ingredients remain in US food that have been removed elsewhere. Source: EFSA https://www.efsa.europa.eu
Banned Ingredients US vs International
| Ingredient | US Status | EU Status | Common US Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dye 40 | Permitted | Warning label required | Skittles, Doritos, Lucky Charms |
| Red Dye 3 | Banned Jan 2025 | Banned | Maraschino cherries legacy |
| Yellow 5 | Permitted | Warning label required | Mountain Dew, Doritos |