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Every food ingredient SmartChoice classifies, grouped by what it does. Tap any one to see what it is, why we flag it, and where it's restricted.
Acids used to adjust pH (citric acid, vinegar).
Alcoholic ingredients (ethanol, wines, spirits).
Synthetic petroleum-derived colorants. Many require warning labels in the EU and are banned outright in several countries.
Synthetic flavoring compounds, often undisclosed proprietary blends.
Non-nutritive synthetic sweeteners. Several under active safety review.
Cocoa-derived ingredients (cocoa, cocoa powder, chocolate liquor). Distinct from cocoa butter (fat-natural) because cacao solids carry heavy-metal contamination risk from soil uptake.
Synthetic hormones used in animal agriculture. Banned across most developed countries except the US.
Highly refined oils extracted via heat and hexane solvent from seeds; high in omega-6 linoleic acid, often oxidized.
Naturally occurring minerals (sea salt, baking soda).
Traditionally produced animal or fruit fats (butter, ghee, olive oil, tallow).
Broad regulatory category — can include solvent-extracted compounds. Lack of transparency.
Whole or minimally processed sweeteners (honey, maple, stevia leaf).
Whole-food-derived (e.g. tapioca starch, pectin).
Highly processed sugars and syrups (e.g. HFCS, dextrose). Permitted but flagged.
Synthetic surfactants used to blend oil and water; some restricted in EU.
Synthetic compounds added to extend shelf life. Several are banned or restricted internationally.
Industrially produced gums and stabilizers; some linked to gut inflammation in studies.
Partially hydrogenated oils — now banned in the US and EU food supply.
Recognizable whole-food ingredients.
SmartChoice checks every ingredient on a product against these same rules — point your camera at the barcode and get a verdict in seconds.
Get SmartChoice — free on iPhoneEducational information, not medical, dietary, or safety advice. Classifications reflect our editorial rules plus cited regulatory sources. Always read the product’s own label.
