Banned Ingredients & Ingredient Watchlists
We’ve banned over 250 ingredients from our stores including artificial flavorings, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives, hydrogenated oils, and more.
Our Watchlists also include ingredients that we rarely accept or only accept in special circumstances.
- Banned Food Ingredient List
- Health and Body Care Ingredient Watchlist
- Supplements Ingredient Watchlist
| Ingredients | Function |
|---|---|
| Acesulfame Potassium | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Acesulfame-K | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Acetylated Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides | Emulsifier, Sequestrant, Stabilizer |
| Ammonium Chloride | Dough Conditioner |
| Artificial Colors | Color – Artificial |
| Artificial Flavors | Flavor Enhancer |
| Aspartame | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Astaxanthin (Artificial) | Coloring Agent |
| Azodicarbonamide | Bleaching Agent, Dough Conditioner |
| Benzoates | Preservative |
| Benzoyl Peroxide | Bleaching Agent |
| BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) | Preservative |
| BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) | Preservative |
| Bleached Flour | Bleaching Agent |
| Bromated Flour | Artificially Aged And Treated Flour |
| Brominated Vegetable Oil (BVO) | Flavor Carrier, Emulsifier |
| Butane Glycol | Flavor Solvent, Humectant |
| Butylene Glycol | Flavor Solvent, Humectant |
| Calcium Bromate | Dough Conditioner, Bleaching Agent |
| Calcium Disodium EDTA | Texturizer, Preservative |
| Calcium Peroxide | Dough Conditioner, Bleaching Agent |
| Calcium Propionate | Preservative |
| Calcium Saccharin | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Calcium Sorbate | Preservative |
| Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate | Dough Conditioner, Emulsifier |
| Caprenin | Fat Substitute |
| Caprocaprylobehenin | Fat Substitute |
| Certified Color | Color – Artificial |
| Cottonseed Oil | Fat Source |
| Curdlan | Gelling Agent, Thickener |
| Cysteine (L-Cysteine) | Flavor Precursor, Processing Aid |
| DATEM (Diacetyl Tartaric And Fatty Acid Esters Of Mono And Diglycerides) | Emulsifier, Sequestrant, Stabilizer |
| Diacetyl | Artificial Butter Flavoring |
| Diazolidinyl Urea | Browning Agent In Baked Goods |
| Dimethlpolysiloxane | Anti-Foaming Agent, Beet & Yeast Processing |
| Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (DSS) | Emulsifier, Stabilizer |
| Disodium Calcium EDTA | Preservative, Sequestrant |
| Disodium Guanylate | Flavor Enhancer |
| Disodium Inosinate (IMP) | Flavor Enhancer |
| Ethoxyquin | Preservative, Color Retention |
| Ethyl Vanillin | Flavor – Artificial |
| Ethylene Oxide | Preservative, Fumigant, Foam In Fermented Malt Beverages |
| Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid Edta (EDTA) | Sequestrant |
| FD & C Colors | Color – Artificial |
| Foie Gras | Duck Liver |
| GMP (Disodium Guanylate) | Flavor Enhancer |
| Hexa-, Hepta- And Octa-Esters Of Sucrose | Fat Substitute |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Hydrogenated Oil | Fat Source |
| Lactylated Esters Of Mono- And Diglycerides | Stablizer, Texturizer, Preservative |
| Lauramide Mea | Surfactant/Detergent |
| Lauryl Dea | Surfactant/Detergent |
| Lead Soldered Cans | Cans Sealed With Lead Soldering |
| Mannitol | Sweetener, Humecant, Bulking Agent |
| Methyl And Propyl Paraben | Food Additive |
| Methylene Chloride | Solvent, Coffee Decaffeination And Spice Extraction, Beer |
| Methylparaben | Preservative |
| Microparticularized Whey Protein | Protein Derived Fat Substitute |
| Mono And Diglycerides (Except potato flakes) | Stablizer, Texturizer, Preservative |
| Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) | Flavor Enhancer |
| Natamyacin | Mold Inhibitor In Cheese |
| Neotame | Artificial Sweetener |
| Nitrates/Nitrites | Preservative |
| Olestra | Fat Substitute |
| Oxystearin | Derived From Hydrogenated Oil |
| Partially Hydrogenated Oil | Texturizer, Preservative |
| Polydextrose | Sweetener - Artificial (Synthetic Glucose) |
| Polysorbate 60, 65, 80 | Emulsifier, Wax Coatings, De-Foaming |
| Potassium Benzoate | Preservative, Antizymotic |
| Potassium Bisulfite | Preservative, Color Preservative |
| Potassium Bromate | Dough Conditioner, Flour Maturing Agent |
| Potassium Metabisulfite | Preservative, Color Preservative |
| Potassium Sorbate | Preservative |
| Propionates | Preservative, Antizymotic |
| Propyl Gallate | Preservative |
| Propylene Glycol | Humecant, Flavor Solvent |
| Propylparaben | Preservative |
| Resistant Starch Type 4 | Chemically Modified Starch |
| RBGH/RBST (Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone/Recombinant Bovine Somatotrophin) | Genetically Modified Bovine Growth Hormone |
| Saccharin | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Simplesse | Fat Substitute |
| Sodium Aluminum Phosphate | Leavening Agent |
| Sodium Aluminum Sulfate | Leavening Agent |
| Sodium Benzoate | Preservative |
| Sodium Bisulfite | Preservative, Color Retention |
| Sodium Diacetate | Preservative, Sequestrant |
| Sodium Erythorbate | Preservative |
| Sodium Glutamate | Flavor Enhancer (See MSG) |
| Sodium Hexametaphosphate | Sequestrant, Emulsifier, Texturizer |
| Sodium Metabisulfite | Preservative, Color Retention |
| Sodium Nitrate/Nitrite | Flavor, Color Retention Agent |
| Sodium Propionate | Preservative, Antifungal |
| Sodium Silicoaluminate | Anti-Caking Agent |
| Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate (Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate) | Dough Conditioner, Emulsifier, Whipping Agent |
| Sodium Sulfite | Preservative |
| Sodium Thiosulfate | Preservative |
| Sodium Tripolyphosate 3 | Binding Agent |
| Sorbic Acid | Antifungal |
| Stannous Chloride | Color Retention |
| Sucralose | Sweetener – Artificial |
| Sulfites (Sulfur Dioxide) | Preservative, Color Retention |
| TBHG (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) | Preservative, Sequestrant |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | Preservative, Sequestrant |
| Trans Fats, Artificial | A Component Of Hydrogenated Fats |
| Vanillin | Flavor – Artificial |
| Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides | Stablizer, Texturizer, Preservative |
| Ingredient | Permission |
|---|---|
| Artificial Colors (FD & C) | Not acceptable |
| Artificial Sweeteners | Not Acceptable |
| Artificial Flavors | Not Acceptable |
| Emu Oil | Not Acceptable |
| Triclosan | Not Acceptable |
| Mineral Oil - Petroleum Derivative | Not Acceptable |
| Methylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Ethylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Propylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Butylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Heptylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Isopropylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Isobutylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Benzylparaben | Not Acceptable |
| Methylisothiazolinone | Not Acceptable |
| Urea not Derived from Comfrey (Allantoin) | Not Acceptable |
| Lidocaine | Not Acceptable |
| Microbeads | Not Acceptable |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | Not Acceptable |
| Butyl Cellosolve (2-Butoxyethanol) | Not Acceptable |
| Diazolidinyl Urea | Not Acceptable |
| Toulene | Not Acceptable |
| Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) | Not Acceptable |
| Isoceteth 20 | Not Acceptable |
| Lauramide MEA | Not Acceptable |
| Methoxycinnamate (Octinoxate) | Not Acceptable |
| Acetone | Not Acceptable |
| BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) | Not Acceptable |
| BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Butylhydroxytoluene) | Not Acceptable |
| DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate) | Not Acceptable |
| DEET (Diethyl-meta-toluamide) | Not Acceptable |
| Formaldehyde | Not Acceptable |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Not Acceptable |
| Quaternium 15 | Not Acceptable |
| Phthalates | Not Acceptable |
| Aerosol Sprays | Not Acceptable |
| Alcloxa | Not Acceptable |
| Benzocaine | Not Acceptable |
| Bronopol (2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol) | Not Acceptable |
| Bronidox (5-bromo-5-nitro-1, 3-dioxane) | Not Acceptable |
| DHA (Dihydroxyacetone) | Not Acceptable |
| Homosalate | Not Acceptable |
| Partially Hydrogenated Oil | Not Acceptable |
| Synthetic Beeswax | Not Acceptable |
| Triethanolamine | Not Acceptable |
| Hydroquinone | Not Acceptable |
| DMDM Hydantoin | Not Acceptable |
| Imidazolidinyl Urea | Not Acceptable |
| Stearamide MEA | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Fragrance (Parfum) | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Potassium Benzoate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Petroleum Derivatives | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Carbomer | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Cetrimonium Chloride | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Disodium Dihydrogen EDTA | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Ethylhexylglycerin | Permitted if no Alternative |
| PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Benzethonium Chloride | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Hydroxypropyltrimonium Honey | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Nanotechnology Ingredients | Permitted if no Alternative |
| PPD (Acceptable in Hair Color Only) | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Soyamidopropalkonium Chloride | Permitted if no Alternative |
| PEG-150 Distearate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Amodimethicone | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Behentrimonium Methosulfate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Ceteareth-20 | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Cyclopentasiloxane (cyclomethicone) | Permitted if no Alternative |
| 1, 2 Hexanediol | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Acetamide MEA | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Amino-Guanadine | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Ammonium Alum | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Polyvinylpyrrolidone | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Vanillyl Butyl Ether | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Tridecyl Neopentanoate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Tridecyl Salicylate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Triethylhexanoin | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Trihydroxystearin | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Trideceth 12 | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Trideceth 8 | Permitted if no Alternative |
| T-butylhydroquinone | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyl Dimethyl Taurate Copolymer | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Sodium Polyacrylate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Propylheptyl Caprylate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Ammonia | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Talc | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Sodium Lauryl Sulfate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Sodium Laureth Sulfate | Permitted if no Alternative |
| Lilial (Lilyal) | Permitted Based on Percentage in Final Product |
| Tetrasodium EDTA | Permitted Based on Percentage in Final Product |
| Disodium EDTA | Permitted Based on Percentage in Final Product |
| Trisodium EDTA | Permitted Based on Percentage in Final Product |
| Sodium C14-16 Olein Sulfonate | Permitted Based on Percentage in Final Product |
| Phenoxyethanol | Permitted Based on Percentage in Final Product |
| Ingredient | AKA | Use | Permission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acetylated esters of mono and diglycerides | DATEM, Lactylated Fatty Esters of Glycerol and Propylene Glycol | Sweeteners | Not acceptable |
| Aluminum Glycinate | Antacid | Not acceptable | |
| Artificial Colors | FD & C Colors, AZO Dyes | Colorants | Not acceptable |
| Artificial Flavors | Flavorings | Not acceptable | |
| Acetyl Benzoyl Peroxide | Not acceptable | ||
| BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole | Preservative | Not acceptable | |
| BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) | Preservative | Not acceptable | |
| Calcium Sorbate | Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Sorbate, Acetic Acid, Hexadienic Acid, Hexadienoic Acid, Sorbistat | Preservative | Conditional - based on use and content |
| Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate | CSL, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Stearoyl Fumarate, Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate | Emulsifiers, Conditioning Agent | Not acceptable |
| Canthaxanthin | Food Colorant | Not acceptable | |
| Caprenin | Caprocaprylobehenin | Fat Substitute | Not acceptable |
| Caramel color (classes II, III, & IV) | Food Colorant | Not acceptable | |
| Carmine | Cochineal, Cochineal Extract, Carmine, Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet, New Coccine, SX Purple | Food Colorant | Not acceptable |
| Corn syrup/High fructose corn syrup | HFCS, Glucose-Fructose Syrup | Sweetener | Not acceptable |
| Cottonseed Oil | Fatty Acid | Not acceptable | |
| Dimethylpolysiloxane | Polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, dimethicone | Flow Agent | Not acceptable |
| Disodium Guanylate (GMP) | Sodium 5′-guanylate and Disodium 5′-guanylate | Flavor Enhancer | Not acceptable |
| Disodium Inosinate (IMP) | Flavor Enhancer | Not acceptable | |
| DI-alpha Tocopherol | Synthetic Vitamin E | Antioxidant | Not acceptable |
| EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) | Copper disodium EDTA, Calcium disodium EDTA, Disodium calcium EDTA, Disodium dihydrogen EDTA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Trisodium EDTA | Chelating Agent | Not acceptable |
| EMU Oil | Fatty Acid | Not acceptable | |
| Erythorbic Acid | Isoascorbic acid, D-araboascorbic acid | Antioxidant | Not acceptable |
| Ethoxyquin | Antioxidant (Concern of crossover from aquaculture in Omega-3 supplements) | Not acceptable | |
| Ethyl Formate | Formic Acid, Ethyl methanoate | Preservative | Not acceptable |
| Ethylene Oxide (ETO) | Oxirane | Preservative | Not acceptable |
| Esters of Sucrose | Hexa-ester of sucrose, Hepta-ester of sucrose, Octa-ester of sucrose, Sucrose esters, Ester of sucrose | Emulsifiers, Texturizers | Not acceptable |
| Hexane (as stand-alone ingredient) | Solvent used in extraction of oils | Not acceptable | |
| HGH (human growth hormone) | Not acceptable | ||
| Hydrogenated or Partially Hydrogenated Fats | Emulsifiers, Stabilizers | Not acceptable | |
| Hydrogenated Starch | Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysates (HSH) | Sweetener | Not acceptable |
| Methyl Silicon | Dimethylpolysiloxane, Polysilicone | Anti-foaming Agent | Not acceptable |
| Methylene Chloride | Dichloromethane, Methane dichloride, Methylene dichloride, DCM | Synthetic sweetener, also used in decaffeination process for coffee | Not acceptable |
| Microparticularized Whey Protein Derived Fat Substitute | Simplesse, Microparticularized Protein, Microparticularized Whey | Synthetic Fat Substitute | Not acceptable |
| Mineral Oil | Emollient | Not acceptable | |
| MSG (Monosodium glutamate) | Sodium Glutamate | Flavor Enhancer | Not acceptable |
| Natamycin | Pimaricin | Mold inhibitor used for dairy ingredients | Not acceptable |
| Oxystearin | Coating | Not acceptable | |
| Parabens (all) | Butylparaben, Heptylparaben, Methylparaben, Propylparaben | Preservative | Not acceptable |
| Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl | Antioxidant | Not acceptable | |
| Pentasodium Pentetate | Chelating | Not acceptable | |
| Phenyl-butyl-nitrate | Antioxidant | Not acceptable | |
| Polydextrose | Artificial Sweetener | Not acceptable | |
| Polyvinylpyrrolidone | Adhesive, Emulsifier, Lubricant | Not acceptable | |
| Potassium Metabisulfite | Potassium Pyrosulfite | Preservative | Not acceptable |
| Potassium Nitrate or Nitrite | Color Enhancer | Not acceptable | |
| Propionates (Calcium and Sodium) | Mold Inhibitor/Preservative | Not acceptable | |
| Propyl Gallate | Antioxidant/Preservative | Not acceptable | |
| Shark Liver Oil (SLO) | Aceite de Hígado de Tiburón, Basking Shark Liver Oil, Cetorhinus maximus, Centroporus squamosus, Deep Sea Shark Liver Oil, Dog Fish Liver Oil, Foie de Requin, Huile de Foie d’Aiguillat, Huile de Foie de Requin, Huile de Foie de Requin de Grands Fonds, Huile de Foie de Requin Pèlerin, Huile de Requin, Shark Liver, Shark Oil, Squalene, Sqaulus acanthias | Not acceptable | |
| Silica Dimethyl Silylate | Anticaking | Not acceptable | |
| Silver Citrate | Antimicrobial | Not acceptable | |
| Sodium Diacetate | Preservative | Not acceptable | |
| Sodium Erythorbate | Color Preservative | Not acceptable | |
| Sodium Metabisulphite | Antibacterial and Mold Inhibitor | Not acceptable | |
| Sorbic Acid | Mold Inhibitor | Not acceptable | |
| Sorbitan Monostearate | Emulsifier | Not acceptable | |
| Sucroglycerides | Emulsifier/Bulking Agent | Not acceptable | |
| Sucrose Polyester | Olestra, Olean | Synthetic Fat | Not acceptable |
| Synthetic Vitamin E (Dl alpha-tocopheryl) | Antioxidant | Not acceptable | |
| Talc | Magnesium Silicate, French Chalk | Abrasive, Absorbent, Anticaking, Bulking, Opacifying, Skin Protectant, Slip Modifier | Not acceptable |
| Tartrazine | FD & C Yellow 5 | Colorant | Not acceptable |
| TBHQ (Tertiary butylhydroquinone) | Petroleum-derived Antioxidant | Not acceptable | |
| Tetrasodium N, N-bis (carboxymethyl) L-glutamate | Chelating | Not acceptable | |
| Tin Oxide 2 | Bulking, Opacifying Agent | Not acceptable | |
| Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate | Tetra Sodium Pyrophosphate, Sodium Phosphate, Trisodium Phosphate | Chelating | Not acceptable |
| Vanillin | Artificial Vanilla Flavor | Not acceptable | |
| Benzoate | Potassium Benzoate, Sodium Bensoate | Preservative | Conditional - based on use and content |
| Beets | Organic or non-GMO only | ||
| Glycerin | Sweetener, Thickener, Emollient | Organic or non-GMO only | |
| Nickle (non-colloidal) | No more than 1 mg/dose in supplement formulations | ||
| Tallow | Emollient | Acceptable if certified organic | |
| Titanium Dioxide (nano) | Colorant | Acceptable if non-nano source |