Our analysis of additives are based on all existing scientific studies on each additive:
1) Collective assessment reports, notably from the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), the OEHHA (Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment), the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), the ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety), the WHO (World Health Organization), the JEFCA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) and the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer).
2) Relevant independent scientific studies, classified by level of evidence: systematic reviews and meta-analyses are prioritized, followed by cohort studies, case-control studies, animal studies, and expert opinions. Only the most reliable studies are selected. Yuka uses, among other tools, the Klimisch rating system, a reference in toxicology, to assess the quality of experimental studies.
The list of main reports and scientific studies is available here.
Following the analysis of these different scientific sources, each additive receives an evaluation:
- No risk (green dot): no impact on the score;
- limited risk (yellow dot): -6 points/additive;
- moderate risk (orange dot): -15 points/additive;
- high risk (red dot): -30 points (with a maximum score of 49/100).
The description of the potential risk associated with each additive, as well as the corresponding scientific sources, are available in the application.
The expected amount of an additive in food products - often based on agro-industry declarations’ - and the population’s exposure to this additive are taken into account. Some additives are present in small quantities but are found in numerous products, leading to a cumulative exposure that can approach or even exceed safety thresholds for certain population groups.
Although additives may be present in foods at levels that comply with current standards, and therefore considered safe by health authorities, Yuka applies the precautionary principle and alerts consumers about potential health risks, even if they are still under suspicion.
Yuka makes its best efforts to provide an analysis based on the state of the science to date and to take into account the most recent scientific studies and regulatory changes.
