The published position
Permitted in the United States. Not authorised as a food additive in the EU.
US 21 CFR 74.203; EU Regulation 1333/2008
Where it stands in law
European Union
Banned · In force
EU Regulation 1333/2008
Not on the EU list of authorised food additives.
West Virginia
Banned · retail sale · 1 August 2025
West Virginia HB 2354
A federal judge preliminarily enjoined the retail provisions in December 2025. The school provisions are unaffected.
Banned · school meals · 1 August 2025
West Virginia HB 2354
Utah
Banned · school meals · 1 August 2026
Utah HB 402
Compliance is required for the 2026 to 2027 school year.
Arizona
Banned · school meals · 1 August 2026
Arizona HB 2164
Applies to ultra-processed food served in schools from the 2026 to 2027 school year.
California
Banned · school meals · From 31 December 2027
California AB 2316, the California School Food Safety Act
None of this moves a score. A law tells you what a shop may sell where you live, which is a different question from what is in the packet, and mixing the two would make two people’s scores for the same product incomparable.
How much of it counts
The penalty for this additive scales with how much of it can be in the product. Where a label bounds it, at a declared percentage or under a “less than 2%” clause, the penalty shrinks accordingly. Where nothing bounds it, the penalty stands in full. The rule is here.