Sources & Methodology

Every additive and NOVA claim in FoodReveal is backed by at least one tier-1 authoritative source. This page lists the regulatory bodies, scientific committees, and institutional references we map, and how we keep them in sync.

Methodology

We collect additive entries from the EU Register (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and the EFSA OpenFood Tox database, then cross-check with the FDA Substances Added to Food list, the Codex GSFA, and JECFA opinions. The NOVA classification follows Monteiro et al. (2009, Public Health Nutrition); the MUP-1/MUP-2 marker system follows Emond (2021, SIGA). Every record carries a 'last_checked' date and at least one tier-1 source URL. No 'unknown' values appear in public fields.

Tier-1 Authoritative Sources

These are the primary regulatory and scientific bodies we map for every additive record. Each link opens the official source.

EU Register of permitted food additivesEU
Official register of food additives authorised in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.
Scope: EU regulatory status of food additives
European Food Safety AuthorityEU
Independent scientific opinions, ADI values, and re-evaluations of food additives.
Scope: Safety evaluation, ADI, re-evaluation opinions
U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationUS
Substances Added to Food, GRAS notices, 21 CFR restrictions.
Scope: US regulatory status, GRAS, 21 CFR restrictions
Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO)International
International food standards, including the General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA).
Scope: International reference, GSFA table of permitted additives
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food AdditivesInternational
International expert committee evaluating food additive safety and ADI.
Scope: International ADI evaluation
World Health OrganizationInternational
Public health guidelines and dietary recommendations.
Scope: Public health context, dietary guidelines
Ministero della SaluteIT
Italian institutional notes and localisation on food additives and labelling.
Scope: Italian institutional notes and localization
Istituto Superiore di SanitàIT
Italian National Institute of Health — scientific references and public health guidance.
Scope: Italian National Institute of Health references

Always up to date

We check every authoritative source regularly and update the database whenever a regulation or re-evaluation changes. The date shown on each additive record reflects the most recent check.