🦠 Category Reference Database • 15 Verified Entries
Gut microbiome disruptors Catalog
Additives with published research linking them to gut bacteria or gut-barrier changes. An active, growing research area.
15 Cataloged Compounds
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01
Gut microbiome disruptors Carboxymethylcellulose
Biological Assessment: Emulsifier studied for altering gut bacteria composition
Common Label Aliases
CMC E466
Catalog ID: #78 Decode in Scanner
02
Gut microbiome disruptors Polysorbate 80
Biological Assessment: Emulsifier studied for thinning the protective gut mucus layer
Common Label Aliases
P80 E433
Catalog ID: #79 Decode in Scanner
03
Gut microbiome disruptors Carrageenan
Biological Assessment: Thickener studied for gut inflammation in animal models
Common Label Aliases
E407
Scientific Overview
Carrageenan is a water-soluble polysaccharide found in red seaweed (also called Irish moss). It is a multi-purpose food additive (e.g., emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, anti-caking agent).
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Safe for intended uses. (FDA Approved, GRAS) Information about its use as a stabilizer.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. Additional information requested.
Catalog ID: #80 Decode in Scanner
04
Gut microbiome disruptors Titanium dioxide
Biological Assessment: Whitening agent, banned as a food additive in the EU over gut/DNA concerns
Common Label Aliases
E171
Catalog ID: #81 Decode in Scanner
05
Gut microbiome disruptors Modified food starch
Biological Assessment: Highly processed starch, may affect gut bacteria diversity
Scientific Overview
Modified food starch is a starch that has been changed to improve texture, stability and thickness in food.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Safe for intended uses. (FDA Approved)
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses.
Catalog ID: #82 Decode in Scanner
06
Gut microbiome disruptors Xanthan gum
Biological Assessment: Thickener with mixed evidence on gut bacteria at high intake
Common Label Aliases
E415
Scientific Overview
Xanthan gum is a plant-based thickener and stabilizer that improves texture and prevents ingredients from separating in food and drinks.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Safe for intended uses. (FDA Approved, GRAS FDA-Notified) In 2003 and 2007, FDA issued no objections to GRAS notices related to xanthan gum.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses.
Catalog ID: #83 Decode in Scanner
07
Gut microbiome disruptors Guar gum
Biological Assessment: Thickener, generally fine but can ferment heavily in the gut at high doses
Common Label Aliases
E412
Scientific Overview
Guar gum is a natural thickener, emulsifier and stabilizer made from guar beans that helps improve texture and prevent ingredients from separating.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Affirmed by FDA as generally recognized as safe. (GRAS FDA-Affirmed) In 1973, health aspects of guar gum as a food additive were evaluated.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. In 2017 and 2024, EFSA reaffirmed the safety of guar gum.
Catalog ID: #84 Decode in Scanner
08
Gut microbiome disruptors Soy lecithin
Biological Assessment: Emulsifier, mixed evidence on gut lining effects
Common Label Aliases
E322
Scientific Overview
Soy lecithin is a naturally occurring mixture of the phosphatides of choline, ethanolamine and inositol, with smaller amounts of other lipids. It may serve as an emulsifier, dispersing agent, wetting agent and releasing agent. It may also be used as a dietary source of choline.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Affirmation by FDA this ingredient is generally recognized as safe as a direct human food ingredient. (GRAS FDA-Affirmed, GRAS FDA-Notified) Soy lecithin may be used as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic.” In 2006 and 2014, FDA had no objection to a GRAS notice related to soy lecithin. In 1983 and 1996, lecithin and enzyme-modified lecithin were affirmed as GRAS for intended uses by FDA. In 1979, the health aspects of lecithin as a food ingredient were evaluated.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. In 2017 and 2020, EFSA re-evaluated the safety of lecithin.
Catalog ID: #85 Decode in Scanner
09
Gut microbiome disruptors Sucralose
Biological Assessment: Some studies link frequent heavy use to gut bacteria shifts
Common Label Aliases
E955
Scientific Overview
Sucralose is a low-calorie sweetener that is about 600 times sweeter than table sugar and often used as a sugar substitute.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Safe for intended uses. (FDA Approved) In 1998 and 1999, FDA authorized the use of sucralose as a non-nutritive sweetener in foods generally. In 1996, FDA approved a health claim for sucralose, a non-cariogenic sugar substitute, and the benefits in reducing the risk of or not promoting tooth decay.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. [additive] Safety reaffirmed in 2026. In 2011a and 2011b, EFSA evaluated health claims related to Sucralose and either lower blood glucose rise after consumption or maintenance of tooth mineralization.
Catalog ID: #86 Decode in Scanner
10
Gut microbiome disruptors Saccharin
Biological Assessment: Some studies link frequent use to altered gut bacteria
Common Label Aliases
E954
Catalog ID: #87 Decode in Scanner
11
Gut microbiome disruptors Maltodextrin
Biological Assessment: Some studies link frequent intake to reduced beneficial gut bacteria
Scientific Overview
Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate made from corn, rice or potatoes that is used as a thickener and to provide rapidly absorbed energy.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Affirmation by FDA this ingredient is generally recognized as safe as a direct human food ingredient. (GRAS FDA-Affirmed)
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses. In 2011, EFSA assessed health claims for resistant maltodextrin. In 2007, EFSA reaffirmed the safety of wheat starch maltodextrin.
Catalog ID: #88 Decode in Scanner
12
Gut microbiome disruptors Sodium benzoate
Biological Assessment: Preservative studied for gut bacteria disruption at high intake
Common Label Aliases
E211
Scientific Overview
Sodium benzoate is a salt of benzoic acid and is used as a preservative to prevent bacteria, mold and yeast growth.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Affirmation by FDA this ingredient is generally recognized as safe as a direct human food ingredient. (GRAS FDA-Affirmed) In 1973, the health aspects of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate for use as food additives were evaluated.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses.
Catalog ID: #89 Decode in Scanner
13
Gut microbiome disruptors Potassium sorbate
Biological Assessment: Preservative with some early gut-microbiome research
Common Label Aliases
E202
Scientific Overview
Potassium sorbate is a preservative made from sorbic acid.
Global Regulatory Approvals
FDA U.S. Food And Drug Administration Generally recognized as safe for intended uses. (GRAS) In 1975, the health aspects of sorbic acid and its salts as food ingredients were evaluated.
EFSA European Food Safety Authority Safe for intended uses.
Catalog ID: #90 Decode in Scanner
14
Gut microbiome disruptors Artificial food colors (general)
Biological Assessment: Emerging research on gut bacteria interactions
Common Label Aliases
Yellow 5 Red 40 etc.
Catalog ID: #91 Decode in Scanner
15
Gut microbiome disruptors Emulsifiers (general class)
Biological Assessment: Broad class flagged in recent gut-barrier research
Common Label Aliases
Mono- and diglycerides polysorbates
Catalog ID: #92 Decode in Scanner
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