Australia and New Zealand and Japan

Food additives permitted in one and not the other — and what each gap actually means.

179 additives are permitted in both. 172 are permitted in Australia and New Zealand with no permission in Japan, none of them explicitly prohibited there. 128 are permitted in Japan with no permission in Australia and New Zealand, none of them explicitly prohibited there.

A missing permission is rarely a ban. Usually no one has applied, the substance is named or grouped differently, or it falls under a different law. Only the first two groups below — prohibited, and removed — record a regulator’s decision against a substance, and even those are decisions about legal status, not findings this site draws about safety.

Permitted in Australia and New Zealand, no permission in Japan

No Japanese designated-additive listing matched 172

This site imports Japan’s list of designated additives only, and matches it by English name. Japan also permits existing additives, natural flavouring agents and ordinary foods used as additives outside that list, and none of those are imported. Treat these as unconfirmed, not as absent.

AdditiveFunctionIn Australia and New Zealand
4-Hexylresorcinol E586Antioxidant1 provision
Acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472aEmulsifier54 provisions
Acid-treated starch INS 1401Emulsifier54 provisions
Agar E406Bulking agent54 provisions
Alginic acid E400Bulking agent54 provisions
Alitame INS 956Sweetener20 provisions
Alkaline treated starch INS 1402Emulsifier54 provisions
AlkanetColour47 provisions
Alpha-tocopherol E307—2 provisions
Aluminium E173Colour2 provisions
Aluminium silicate (Kaolin) E559—54 provisions
Ammonium carbonates E503—56 provisions
Ammonium salts of phosphatidic acid E442Emulsifier54 provisions
Anthocyanins E163Colour47 provisions
ArabinogalactanEmulsifier54 provisions
Aspartame-acesulfame salt E962Sweetener25 provisions
Azorubine (Carmoisine) E122Colour44 provisions
Beeswax (yellow and white) E901Carrier55 provisions
Beet red E162Colour47 provisions
Bentonite E558Processing aid54 provisions
Blackcurrant extract INS 163(iii)—47 provisions
Bleached starch INS 1403Emulsifier54 provisions
Bone phosphate INS 542Anticaking agent1 provision
Brilliant black (Black PN) E151Colour44 provisions
Brown HT E155Colour44 provisions
Butane E943aPropellant54 provisions
CaffeineFlavouring agent1 provision
Calcium aluminium silicate E556—55 provisions
Calcium benzoate E213Preservative25 provisions
Calcium cyclamate INS 952(ii)Sweetener9 provisions
Calcium di-L-glutamate E623Flavour enhancer54 provisions
Calcium fumarateNutrient supplement54 provisions
Calcium lignosulfonateSurface-active agent54 provisions
Calcium malates E352—54 provisions
Calcium polyphosphate E452Acidity regulator55 provisions
Calcium pyrophosphate E450Acidity regulator55 provisions
Caramel I – plain caramel E150aColour50 provisions
Caramel II - sulfite caramel E150bColour50 provisions
Caramel III - ammonia caramel E150cColour50 provisions
Caramel IV - sulfite ammonia caramel E150dColour50 provisions
Carmines E120Colour47 provisions
Carnauba wax E903Acidity regulator55 provisions
Carob bean gum E410Emulsifier57 provisions
Carotenal, beta-apo-8'- E160eColour48 provisions
Carrageenan E407Bulking agent58 provisions
Chlorophylls E140Colour47 provisions
Chlorophylls, copper complexes INS 141(i)Colour47 provisions
Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472cAntioxidant56 provisions
Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins E141Colour47 provisions
Curcumin E100Colour47 provisions
Cyclamic acid INS 952(i)Sweetener9 provisions
Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts E952Sweetener9 provisions
Delta-tocopherol E309—3 provisions
Dextrin INS 1400Carrier54 provisions
Diacetyltartaric and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472eEmulsifier55 provisions
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate INS 480Emulsifier4 provisions
Dodecyl gallate INS 312Antioxidant2 provisions
Erythritol E968Flavour enhancer54 provisions
Ethyl alcoholPreservative2 provisions
Ethyl maltol INS 637Flavour enhancer2 provisions
Extracts of rosemary E392Flavouring agent19 provisions
Fatty acids E570Formulation aid54 provisions
Gamma-tocopherol E308—3 provisions
Gardenia yellow INS 164—47 provisions
Gellan gum E418Gelling agent54 provisions
Glycerol diacetate E1517Carrier1 provision
Gold E175Colour3 provisions
Grape skin extract INS 163(ii)Colour48 provisions
Green S E142Colour44 provisions
Guar gum E412Emulsifier58 provisions
Gum arabic (Acacia gum) E414Bulking agent57 provisions
Gum tragacanth E413Emulsifier54 provisions
Iron oxide, black INS 172(i)Colour47 provisions
Iron oxides and hydroxides E172Colour47 provisions
Isobutane E943bPropellant54 provisions
Isomalt (Hydrogenated isomaltulose) E953Anticaking agent54 provisions
Karaya gum E416Emulsifier54 provisions
L-Cysteine E920Dough strengthener2 provisions
L-leucine E641Flavour enhancer1 provision
Lactic and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472bEmulsifier54 provisions
Lactitol E966Emulsifier54 provisions
Lauric arginate ethyl ester E243Preservative16 provisions
Lecithin E322Antioxidant56 provisions
Lutein from Tagetes erecta E161bColour47 provisions
Lycopene E160dFlavouring agent47 provisions
Lysozyme E1105Preservative54 provisions
Magnesium dihydrogen diphosphate E450(ix)Acidity regulator55 provisions
Magnesium dihydrogen phosphate INS 343(i)Acidity regulator55 provisions
Magnesium lactate, DL- INS 329Acidity regulator54 provisions
Magnesium phosphates E343—55 provisions
Maltitol syrup E965Bulking agent54 provisions
Mannoproteins from yeast cell walls INS 455Stabiliser55 provisions
Methyl ethyl cellulose E465Emulsifier54 provisions
Methylparaben E218Preservative1 provision
Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E472f—54 provisions
Monk fruit extractSweetener56 provisions
Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids E471Antifoaming agent60 provisions
Monoacetin—1 provision
Nitrogen E941Foaming agent55 provisions
OctafluorocyclobutanePropellant54 provisions
Octyl gallate INS 311Antioxidant2 provisions
Oxidised polyethylene wax E914Glazing agent1 provision
Paprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubin E160cColour47 provisions
Pectins E440Emulsifier58 provisions
PetrolatumLubricant or release agent54 provisions
Polydextrose E1200Bulking agent54 provisions
Polyethylene glycol E1521Antifoaming agent54 provisions
Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids E475Emulsifier7 provisions
Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid E476Emulsifier5 provisions
Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate E431Emulsifier2 provisions
Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) E124Colour44 provisions
Potassium acetate E261Acidity regulator55 provisions
Potassium adipate E357—54 provisions
Potassium aluminium silicate E555—2 provisions
Potassium benzoate E212Preservative25 provisions
Potassium bisulfite E228Preservative39 provisions
Potassium citrates E332—57 provisions
Potassium diacetatePreservative55 provisions
Potassium fumarateNutrient supplement54 provisions
Potassium malate E351—54 provisions
Potassium nitrite E249Colour retention agent5 provisions
Potassium polyaspartate E456Stabiliser1 provision
Potassium propionate E283Preservative4 provisions
Potassium saccharin E954Sweetener13 provisions
Potassium sulfite INS 225Antioxidant39 provisions
Potassium sulphates E515—54 provisions
Powdered cellulose E460Anticaking agent56 provisions
Processed eucheuma seaweed (PES) E407aBulking agent54 provisions
Propane E944Propellant54 provisions
Quillaia extract type 2 INS 999(ii)Emulsifier8 provisions
Quillaia extract type I INS 999(i)Emulsifier8 provisions
Quinine—3 provisions
Quinoline yellow E104Colour44 provisions
SaffronColour47 provisions
Shellac, bleached E904Glazing agent55 provisions
Silver E174Colour2 provisions
Sodium aluminium phosphate, acidic E541Acidity regulator1 provision
Sodium aluminosilicate E554Anticaking agent55 provisions
Sodium bisulfite E222Antioxidant39 provisions
Sodium calcium polyphosphate E452Acidity regulator55 provisions
Sodium citrates E331—57 provisions
Sodium cyclamate INS 952(iv)Sweetener9 provisions
Sodium diacetate E262Acidity regulator56 provisions
Sodium dihydrogen citrate INS 331(i)Acidity regulator57 provisions
Sodium fumarates INS 365Acidity regulator54 provisions
Sodium hydrogen DL-malate INS 350(i)Acidity regulator54 provisions
Sodium malates E350—54 provisions
Sodium metaphosphate, insolubleEmulsifier55 provisions
Sodium potassium tartrate E337Acidity regulator56 provisions
Sodium sorbatePreservative34 provisions
Sodium sulphates E514—54 provisions
Sodium tripolyphosphate E451Acidity regulator55 provisions
Sorbitan monostearate E491Emulsifier56 provisions
Sorbitan tristearate E492Emulsifier54 provisions
Sorbitol syrup INS 420(ii)Bulking agent54 provisions
Stannous chloride E512Antioxidant1 provision
Starches, enzyme treated INS 1405Emulsifier54 provisions
Stearic acidFlavouring agent54 provisions
Steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Steviol glycosides from Stevia) E960Sweetener28 provisions
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate E444Emulsifier4 provisions
Synthetic iron oxideColour47 provisions
Talc E553bAnticaking agent54 provisions
Tannic acidFlavour enhancer2 provisions
Tara gum E417Gelling agent54 provisions
TBHQ E319Antioxidant2 provisions
Thaumatin E957Flavour enhancer56 provisions
Tocopherol concentrate, mixed INS 307bAntioxidant5 provisions
Triacetin E1518Carrier54 provisions
Triammonium citrate E380Acidity regulator56 provisions
TurmericColour47 provisions
Vegetable carbon E153Colour47 provisions
Xanthan gum E415Emulsifier56 provisions

Permitted in Japan, no permission in Australia and New Zealand

Possibly covered by a related listing in Australia and New Zealand 2

Australia and New Zealand lists a substance under the same number — often a group entry such as “E 322 Lecithins” where the other regulator lists a single form. This site cannot tell whether that listing covers this form, so these are not counted as absent.

AdditiveFunctionIn JapanIn Australia and New Zealand
Ascorbyl stearate E304(ii)Antioxidant1 provisionAscorbyl palmitate (E304)
Iron oxide, red INS 172(ii)Colour1 provisionIron oxide, black, Iron oxides and hydroxides (E172)

Regulated outside the additives list in Australia and New Zealand 65

Every function regulators give these — flavouring, enzyme, nutrient, solvent or processing aid — is one Australia and New Zealand regulates under separate rules, so they would not be expected on its list of food additives. Their absence here says nothing about whether Australia and New Zealand permits them.

AdditiveFunctionIn Japan
1-DecanolFlavouring agent1 provision
AcetophenoneFlavouring agent1 provision
Allyl caproateFlavouring agent1 provision
Allyl isothiocyanateFlavouring agent1 provision
AnisaldehydeFlavouring agent1 provision
Benzyl acetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Benzyl propionateFlavouring agent1 provision
Butan-1-olFlavouring agent1 provision
Butyl acetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Butyl butyrateFlavouring agent1 provision
Calcium pantothenateNutrient supplement1 provision
Caprylic acidFlavouring agent1 provision
Cinnamic acidFlavouring agent1 provision
Cinnamyl acetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Cinnamyl alcoholFlavouring agent1 provision
CitronellalFlavouring agent1 provision
CitronellolFlavouring agent1 provision
Citronellyl acetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Citronellyl formateFlavouring agent1 provision
Copper sulfateNutrient supplement1 provision
DL-AlanineFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl acetoacetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl cinnamateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl decanoateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl heptanoateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl hexanoateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl isovalerateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl octanoateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl phenylacetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Ethyl propionateFlavouring agent1 provision
EucalyptolFlavouring agent1 provision
Ferric chlorideFlavouring agent1 provision
Ferric citrateNutrient supplement1 provision
Ferric pyrophosphateNutrient supplement1 provision
Folic acid (folacin)Nutrient supplement1 provision
Geranyl formateFlavouring agent1 provision
HydroxycitronellalFlavouring agent1 provision
Isoamyl acetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Isoamyl butyrateFlavouring agent1 provision
Isoamyl formateFlavouring agent1 provision
Isoamyl isovalerateFlavouring agent1 provision
Isoamyl propionateFlavouring agent1 provision
IsobutanolFlavouring agent1 provision
Isobutyl phenylacetateFlavouring agent1 provision
IsoeugenolFlavouring agent1 provision
L-IsoleucineFlavouring agent1 provision
L-TryptophanNutrient supplement1 provision
L-ValineFlavouring agent1 provision
Methyl cinnamateFlavouring agent1 provision
Methyl β-naphthyl ketoneFlavouring agent1 provision
NiacinNutrient supplement1 provision
OctanalFlavouring agent1 provision
p-Methyl acetophenoneFlavouring agent1 provision
Phenylethyl acetateFlavouring agent1 provision
Propan-1-olFlavouring agent1 provision
Pyridoxine hydrochlorideNutrient supplement1 provision
Sodium pantothenateNutrient supplement1 provision
Thiamine hydrochlorideFlavouring agent1 provision
Thiamine mononitrateNutrient supplement1 provision
Vitamin ANutrient supplement1 provision
Vitamin D2Nutrient supplement1 provision
Vitamin D3Nutrient supplement1 provision
Zinc gluconateNutrient supplement1 provision
γ-NonalactoneFlavouring agent1 provision
γ-UndecalactoneFlavouring agent1 provision

Not on Australia and New Zealand’s list 61

Australia and New Zealand permits food additives only where it lists them, and these are not listed. That is not a finding against the substance: usually no one has applied for authorisation there. It does mean they may not be used as food additives in Australia and New Zealand today.

AdditiveFunctionIn Japan
1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid—1 provision
AcetoneFlavour enhancer1 provision
Aluminium ammonium sulfate E523Acidity regulator1 provision
Aluminum potassium sulfate E522Firming agent1 provision
Ammonium persulfatePreservative1 provision
Ammonium sulfate E517Dough strengthener1 provision
Argon E938—1 provision
Asparaginase from Aspergillus oryzae—1 provision
Benzoyl peroxide INS 928Bleaching agent1 provision
BiotinNutrient supplement1 provision
Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides E634Flavour enhancer1 provision
Calcium ferrocyanide E538Anticaking agent1 provision
Calcium glycerophosphateNutrient supplement1 provision
Calcium phytateSequestrant1 provision
Calcium stearateFlavouring agent1 provision
Canthaxanthin E161gColour1 provision
Chlorine dioxide E926Preservative1 provision
Copper gluconateNutrient supplement1 provision
Dimethyl dicarbonate E242Preservative1 provision
Diphenyl INS 230Flavour enhancer1 provision
Disodium 5'-cytidylate—1 provision
Disodium 5'-uridylate—1 provision
Disodium EDTA INS 386Antioxidant1 provision
Disodium glycyrrhizinate—1 provision
Disodium succinate INS 364(ii)Flavour enhancer1 provision
DL-MethionineFlavour enhancer1 provision
DL-Tartaric acid—1 provision
DL-Threonine—1 provision
DL-Tryptophan—1 provision
Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate E214Preservative1 provision
Ferrous sulfateNutrient supplement1 provision
Gluconic acid E574Nutrient supplement1 provision
Hydrogen peroxidePreservative1 provision
Isopropyl citrate INS 384Antioxidant1 provision
L-Histidine hydrochloride—1 provision
L-Lysine monohydrochloride—1 provision
L-MethionineFlavour enhancer1 provision
L-PhenylalanineFlavour enhancer1 provision
L-Theanine—1 provision
L-ThreonineFlavour enhancer1 provision
Magnesium hydroxide E528Acidity regulator1 provision
Magnesium stearate INS 470(iii)Anticaking agent1 provision
Methyl N-methylanthranilateFlavour enhancer1 provision
NiacinamideNutrient supplement1 provision
Oxalic acid—1 provision
Peracetic acidAcidity regulator1 provision
Polyvinyl alcohol E1203Glazing agent1 provision
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone E1202Colour retention agent1 provision
Potassium bromateDough strengthener1 provision
Sodium caseinateAnticaking agent1 provision
Sodium chloriteStarch-modifying agent1 provision
Sodium copper chlorophyllinColour1 provision
Sodium hypochloriteDough strengthener1 provision
Sodium metaphosphate—1 provision
Sodium methoxide—1 provision
Sodium polyacrylate—1 provision
Sodium selenite—1 provision
Sulfuric acid E513Acidity regulator1 provision
Thiamine naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate—1 provision
Thiamine thiocyanate—1 provision
Zinc sulfateNutrient supplement1 provision

What this page is not

It is not a list of unsafe additives, and a regulator permitting something is not this site’s endorsement of it. Regulators reach different decisions on the same evidence, on different applications, and at different times. Each additive’s page shows every jurisdiction’s status with its citation, and where an assessing body has published a reading of the evidence, that reading, attributed.

Counts are of this site’s additive pages, which follow the regulators’ own listings: a group entry in one jurisdiction can correspond to several pages in another. Status as retrieved from each source; see Sources for dates.