January 14, 2025
US Food Additives Banned in Europe — Full List (2026)
Which food additives are banned in Europe but legal in the US? See the full list of dyes, preservatives, and chemicals — and how to avoid them.
Azodicarbonamide
Preservatives
- Potentially Harmful
Definition
A preservative added to baked goods and other foods as a dough conditioner and bleaching agent.
Also Known As
ADA
Health Impact
Azodicarbonamide, when exposed to heat (as in bread baking) degrades into semicarbazide, a known carcinogen that has been shown to cause tumors in animal studies. It is not permitted for use as a food additive in Europe due to the carcinogenicity and genotoxicity caused by semicarbazide which is created. EFSA has also banned it as a blowing agent in food contact materials since August 2005. When inhaled, azodicarbonamide has been linked to asthma and respiratory issues in people as well.
Sources
- Assessment of the Determination of Azodicarbonamide and Its Decomposition Product Semicarbazide: Investigation of Variation in Flour and Flour Products
ACS Publications
- amending Directive 2002/72/EC as regards the suspension of the use of azodicarbonamide as blowing agent
Official Journal of the European Union
- Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 16: AZODICARBONAMIDE
The World Health Organization
