EDTA

What this is

Calcium disodium EDTA (a form of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a food additive used in fast-food sauces, dressings, pickles, and canned drinks to preserve flavor and color by binding metal ions. It prevents rancidity and keeps foods tasting fresh. Regulators consider the small amounts used in foods to be safe. EDTA is very poorly absorbed by our digestive tract and is mostly excreted, so it doesn’t build up in the body. Recent research in animals with intestinal disease suggests EDTA might aggravate gut inflammation at high doses, but typical dietary exposure for most people is well below established safety limits.

Critical Endpoints

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