Azodicarbonamide

What this is

Azodicarbonamide sits in a disputed regulatory space. U.S. FDA rules still permit it in cereal flour and bread dough at up to 45 ppm by flour weight, and FDA says its assessment of semicarbazide, a breadmaking breakdown product, did not support recommending diet changes. FDA nevertheless added ADA to its post-market food-chemical review list in 2025. In Europe, EFSA says ADA use as a dough improver is illegal, and EU action also removed ADA from food-contact plastic gaskets after semicarbazide concerns. Codex currently has no food-additive provisions for ADA, and JECFA/CCFA withdrew ADI support in 2023 because safety concerns had been raised and no data support was available for reevaluation.

Safety Review

The critical endpoints experts review in safety assessments. This is not a prediction of harm.

The toxicological concern centers on ADA's breakdown product SEM: high-dose mouse tumor findings and weak in vitro activity drove concern, while FDA's dietary assessment did not recommend diet changes at permitted use levels. JECFA withdrew ADI support because safety concerns remained and no data sponsor supported reevaluation, and occupational inhalation exposure is linked to asthma-like respiratory sensitization.