How much is permitted

The five answers

A numeric ceiling 18,790 listings

The instrument sets a figure the food may not exceed.

Several ceilings in one listing 8,307 listings

The listing sets more than one ceiling, each for a different food or use within the category, and sometimes quantum satis for a third. No single figure describes it, so this site does not reduce it to one; the conditions are shown in full instead.

Quantum satis 14,727 listings

No figure is set. Article 3(2)(h) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 permits the amount needed to achieve the intended effect and no more, so a use beyond the technological purpose is unlawful even though no number is breached.

Good manufacturing practice 15,901 listings

No figure is set. Codex, Australia and New Zealand, and Canada limit the quantity to what is needed for the technological purpose — the same rule as quantum satis, written in their own instruments.

No quantity stated 7,752 listings

The listing carries no quantitative condition of any kind. That may mean the quantity is governed elsewhere in the instrument, or by the general requirement not to mislead; it is not a finding that any amount is permitted.

The distinction that matters most is between the last three and an empty cell. Quantum satis and good manufacturing practice are limits, not missing ones: they permit the amount the technological effect requires and no more, so a use beyond that purpose is unlawful even though no figure has been exceeded.

The vocabularies are kept apart rather than merged. Quantum satis is the European Union's and Great Britain's term, defined in Article 3(2)(h) of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; good manufacturing practice is how Codex, Australia and New Zealand, and Canada write what is substantially the same rule in their own instruments. The United States, Japan and South Korea express conditions of use in prose rather than as a level in a table, so none has a figure in this table; that is a difference in drafting, not in strictness.

Where the ceilings are furthest apart

Two figures can only be set against each other when the two food categories describe the same foods, so these comparisons are read through the food groups — forty everyday groups mapped onto each system by hand. What is compared below is the most permissive figure each system sets anywhere in the group, which is a real and checkable claim, and a narrower one than it may look.

The two figures may describe different foods inside the group. Codex permits 20,000 mg/kg of paprika extract in edible sausage casings and the European Union permits 10 mg/kg in the sausage; both are in “processed and cured meat”, and neither regulator has said anything the other contradicts. The category each figure comes from is printed beside it for that reason. A system that states several ceilings in one listing is left out of the arithmetic entirely, because its highest figure is not known.

1. Paprika extract in processed and cured meat

   EU	10 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
   GB	10 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
   Codex	20,000 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

2. Gum arabic (Acacia gum) in baby food and foods for young children

   EU	10,000 mg/kg	1.10 Milk-based drinks and similar products intended for young children*
   Codex	10,000 mg/kg	13.2 Complementary foods for infants and young children
   ANZ	10 mg/kg	13.2 Foods for infants
   GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

3. Neotame in chewing gum

   EU	3 mg/kg	5.3 chewing gum
   Codex	1,000 mg/kg	05.3 Chewing gum
   GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

4. Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids in spirits and mixed alcoholic drinks

   EU	5,000 mg/kg	14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EU) 2019/787
   GB	5,000 mg/kg	14.2.6 Spirit drinks as defined in Regulation (EC) No 110/2008
   Codex	20 mg/kg	14.2.7 Aromatized alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine and spirituous cooler-type beverages, low-alcoholic refreshers)

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

5. Sorbitan monolaurate in processed fruit and vegetables

   EU	25 mg/kg	4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC
   GB	25 mg/kg	4.2.5.2 Jam, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut puree as defined by Directive 2001/113/EC
   Codex	5,000 mg/kg	04.2.2.2 Dried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

6. Annatto extracts, bixin-based in processed and cured meat

   EU	50 mg/kg	8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat
   GB	50 mg/kg	8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat
   Codex	10,000 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

7. Iron oxide, black, Iron oxide, red, Iron oxide, yellow in fresh fruit and vegetables

   EU	6 mg/kg	4.1.1 entire fresh fruit and vegetables
   GB	6 mg/kg	4.1.1 Entire fresh fruit and vegetables
   Codex	1,000 mg/kg	04.1.1.2 Surface-treated fresh fruit

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

8. Tartaric acid in table-top sweeteners

   EU	270,000 mg/kg	11.4.3 table-top sweeteners in tablets
   Codex	2,000 mg/kg	11.6 Table-top sweeteners, including those containing high-intensity sweeteners

   The systems draw this group the same way, give or take internal detail.

9. Carotenal, beta-apo-8'- in processed fruit and vegetables

   EU	200 mg/kg	4.2.4.1 fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote
   GB	200 mg/kg	4.2.4.1 Fruit and vegetable preparations excluding compote
   Codex	2 mg/kg	04.1.2.7 Candied fruit

   The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

10. Curcumin in soy foods and protein products

    EU	100 mg/kg	12.9 Protein products excluding products covered in category 1 8
    GB	100 mg/kg	12.9 Protein products, excluding products covered in category 1.8
    Codex	1 mg/kg	06.8.1 Soybean-based beverages

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

11. beta-Carotenes, Blakeslea trispora, β-Carotene-rich extract from Dunaliella Salina in processed and cured meat

    EU	20 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    GB	20 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    Codex	1,500 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

12. beta-Carotenes, vegetable in processed and cured meat

    EU	20 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    GB	20 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    Codex	1,500 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

13. FD&C Yellow No. 6 in milk, cream and milk powder

    EU	5 mg/kg	1.6.3 other creams
    GB	5 mg/kg	1.6.3 Other creams
    Codex	300 mg/kg	01.1.4 Flavoured Fluid Milk Drinks

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

14. FD&C Yellow No. 6 in desserts and puddings

    EU	5 mg/kg	16 Desserts excluding products covered in category 1 3 and 4
    GB	5 mg/kg	16 Desserts excluding products covered in categories 1, 3 and 4
    Codex	300 mg/kg	01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt)

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

15. FD&C Red No. 3 in chocolate and sweets

    Codex	100 mg/kg	05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit), and sweet sauces
    ANZ	2 mg/kg	5.4 Icings and frostings

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

16. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate in soft drinks and flavoured waters

    EU	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    GB	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured drinks
    Codex	500 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

17. Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 65, Polysorbate 80 in soft drinks and flavoured waters

    EU	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    GB	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured drinks
    Codex	500 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

18. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate in energy, sports and electrolyte drinks

    EU	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    GB	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured drinks
    Codex	500 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

19. Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 65, Polysorbate 80 in energy, sports and electrolyte drinks

    EU	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    GB	10 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured drinks
    Codex	500 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

20. Caramel II - sulfite caramel, Caramel III - ammonia caramel, Caramel IV - sulfite ammonia caramel in wine, cider and mead

    Codex	50,000 mg/kg	14.2.3.3 Fortified grape wine, grape liquor wine, and sweet grape wine
    ANZ	1,000 mg/kg	14.2.4 Fruit wine, vegetable wine and mead (including cider and perry)

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

21. FD&C Yellow No. 6 in processed and cured meat

    EU	35 mg/kg	8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat
    GB	35 mg/kg	8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat
    Codex	1,500 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

22. Potassium metabisulfite, Sodium bisulfite, Sodium metabisulfite, Sodium sulfite, Sulfur dioxide in fruit and vegetable juice

    EU	2,000 mg/kg	14.1.2 Fruit juices as defined by Directive 2001/112/EC and vegetable juices
    Codex	50 mg/kg	14.1.3.4 Concentrates for vegetable nectar
    ANZ	115 mg/kg	14.1.2 Fruit and vegetable juices and fruit and vegetable juice products
    GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

23. Carrageenan in baby food and foods for young children

    EU	300 mg/kg	1.10 Milk-based drinks and similar products intended for young children*
    GB	300 mg/kg	13.1.4 Other foods for young children
    ANZ	10,000 mg/kg	13.2 Foods for infants

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

24. Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) in milk, cream and milk powder

    EU	5 mg/kg	1.6.3 other creams
    GB	5 mg/kg	1.6.3 Other creams
    Codex	150 mg/kg	01.1.4 Flavoured Fluid Milk Drinks

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

25. Karaya gum in yoghurt and fermented milk

    EU	6,000 mg/kg	1.4 flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products
    GB	6,000 mg/kg	1.4 Flavoured fermented milk products including heat-treated products
    Codex	200 mg/kg	01.2.1.1 Fermented milks (plain), not heat-treated after fermentation

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

26. FD&C Yellow No. 6, Ponceau 4R (Cochineal red A) in chewing gum

    EU	10 mg/kg	5.3 chewing gum
    GB	10 mg/kg	5.3 Chewing gum
    Codex	300 mg/kg	05.3 Chewing gum

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

27. FD&C Yellow No. 6 in dietary foods, medical foods and supplements

    EU	10 mg/kg	18.2 Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
    GB	10 mg/kg	17.2 Food supplements supplied in a liquid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children
    Codex	300 mg/kg	13.6 Food supplements

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

28. Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate, Methylparaben in processed and cured meat

    EU	1,000 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    GB	1,000 mg/kg	8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat
    Codex	36 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

29. 4-Hexylresorcinol in fish and seafood

    EU	2 mg/kg	9.1.2 Unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans
    GB	2 mg/kg	9.1.2 Unprocessed molluscs and crustaceans
    Codex	50 mg/kg	09.2.1 Frozen fish, fish fillets, and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

30. Quinoline yellow in soups, sauces and condiments

    EU	20 mg/kg	12.6 Sauces
    GB	20 mg/kg	12.6 Sauces
    Codex	500 mg/kg	12.6 Sauces and like products

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

31. Carnauba wax in dietary foods, medical foods and supplements

    EU	200 mg/kg	17.1 food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’,
    GB	200 mg/kg	17.1 Food supplements supplied in a solid form, excluding food supplements for infants and young children
    Codex	5,000 mg/kg	13.6 Food supplements

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

32. Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate in dietary foods, medical foods and supplements

    EU	1,000 mg/kg	18.2 Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
    GB	1,000 mg/kg	13.3 Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet)
    Codex	25,000 mg/kg	13.6 Food supplements

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

33. Polysorbate 60, Polysorbate 65, Polysorbate 80 in dietary foods, medical foods and supplements

    EU	1,000 mg/kg	18.2 Meal replacement for weight control as referred to in Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012
    GB	1,000 mg/kg	13.3 Dietary foods for weight control diets intended to replace total daily food intake or an individual meal (the whole or part of the total daily diet)
    Codex	25,000 mg/kg	13.6 Food supplements

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

34. Sucroglycerides in soft drinks and flavoured waters

    EU	5,000 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    Codex	200 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks
    GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

35. Sucrose esters of fatty acids in soft drinks and flavoured waters

    EU	5,000 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    Codex	200 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks
    GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

36. Sucroglycerides in energy, sports and electrolyte drinks

    EU	5,000 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    Codex	200 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks
    GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

37. Sucrose esters of fatty acids in energy, sports and electrolyte drinks

    EU	5,000 mg/kg	14.1.4 Flavoured_drinks
    Codex	200 mg/kg	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including "sport," “energy,” or "electrolyte" drinks and particulated drinks
    GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

38. Carmines in processed and cured meat

    EU	500 mg/kg	8.3.3 Casings and coatings and decorations for meat
    Codex	11,500 mg/kg	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)
    GB	several limits	stated in one listing; not reduced to a figure

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

39. Natamycin (pimaricin) in processed and cured meat

    EU	1 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    GB	1 mg/kg	8.3.2 Heat-treated meat products
    Codex	20 mg/kg	08.3.1.2 Cured (including salted) and dried non-heat treated processed comminuted meat, poultry, and game products

    The systems agree on roughly this group of foods but cut it up differently.

40. Sodium potassium tartrate, Sodium tartrate, Tartaric acid in dietary foods, medical foods and supplements

    EU	100,000 mg/kg	17.1 food supplements supplied in a solid form excluding food supplements for infants and young children’,
    Codex	5,000 mg/kg	13.6 Food supplements

    At least one system has no category for this group, or files it somewhere much broader.

Showing the 40 widest of 94 where the most permissive figures differ by a factor of ten or more. Only categories mapped to the group directly count: Codex and Schedule 15 pass a permission down to the categories beneath it, and an inherited ceiling belongs to a wider class of foods than the group.

Where one regulator sets a figure and another sets none

The commonest disagreement is not about the number. One regulator writes a ceiling; another permits the same additive in the same foods at quantum satis or under good manufacturing practice, and writes no figure at all. That happens 713 times across the food groups. It does not mean the second regulator permits more: it means it has decided the technological purpose is the limit.

• 4-Hexylresorcinol in fish and seafoodEU 2 mg/kg · GB 2 mg/kg · Codex 50 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Acetic acid in baby food and foods for young childrenEU quantum satis · GB quantum satis · Codex 5,000 mg/kg · ANZ 5,000 mg/kg
• Adipic acid in milk, cream and milk powderCodex 1,500 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Adipic acid in yoghurt and fermented milkEU 1,000 mg/kg · GB 1,000 mg/kg · Codex 1,500 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Adipic acid and 1 more in chocolate and sweetsEU 2,000 mg/kg · GB 2,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Adipic acid and 1 more in soft drinks and flavoured watersEU 10,000 mg/kg · GB 10,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Adipic acid and 1 more in energy, sports and electrolyte drinksEU 10,000 mg/kg · GB 10,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Adipic acid and 1 more in coffee, tea and infusionsEU 10,000 mg/kg · GB 10,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in milk, cream and milk powderCodex 6 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in yoghurt and fermented milkEU 10 mg/kg · GB 10 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in cheeseCodex 10 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in ice cream and edible icesEU 10 mg/kg · GB 10 mg/kg · Codex 10 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in processed fruit and vegetablesEU 10 mg/kg · GB 10 mg/kg · Codex 25 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in chocolate and sweetsEU 20 mg/kg · GB several limits · Codex 40 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in breakfast cerealsEU 10 mg/kg · GB 10 mg/kg · Codex 10 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in fish and seafoodEU 3 mg/kg · GB 3 mg/kg · Codex 3 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in sugar, syrups and honeyCodex 30 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in dietary foods, medical foods and supplementsEU 20 mg/kg · GB several limits · Codex 55 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in fruit and vegetable juiceEU 6 mg/kg · GB 6 mg/kg · Codex 6 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in soft drinks and flavoured watersEU 6 mg/kg · GB 6 mg/kg · Codex 10 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in energy, sports and electrolyte drinksEU 6 mg/kg · GB 6 mg/kg · Codex 10 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in coffee, tea and infusionsCodex 6 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in wine, cider and meadEU 6 mg/kg · GB 6 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Advantame in spirits and mixed alcoholic drinksEU 6 mg/kg · GB 6 mg/kg · Codex 6 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Agar and 5 more in processed fruit and vegetablesEU several limits · GB 10,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Alginic acid and 1 more in processed fruit and vegetablesEU several limits · GB 10,000 mg/kg · Codex GMP · ANZ GMP
• Ammonium bicarbonate and 8 more in chocolate and sweetsEU several limits · GB 70,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Ammonium phosphate, dibasic and 1 more in milk, cream and milk powderCodex 4,400 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Ammonium phosphate, dibasic and 2 more in yoghurt and fermented milkCodex 1,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP
• Ammonium phosphate, dibasic and 2 more in cheeseCodex 9,000 mg/kg · ANZ GMP

Showing 30 of 713. Each additive page carries the same comparison for every food category it is listed in.

How to read a level

A maximum permitted level is a ceiling on what a food may contain, not a recommended amount and not a figure anybody expects to be reached. It is usually expressed in milligrams per kilogram of the food as sold; regulators write mg/kg and mg/l interchangeably across the same categories, and this site treats them as one unit. Surface treatments, written in mg/dm², measure something else and are never converted.

A level says nothing about how much of an additive anybody actually eats. That is a question about diets, answered by intake assessments, and this site does not attempt it. Nor is a higher ceiling evidence that a regulator considers a substance safer: ceilings are set against what a use technologically requires as much as against what an assessment allows.

See also the glossary, the food groups these comparisons are read through, and the method.