Azodicarbonamide
A flour bleaching agent that is a known respiratory sensitiser for workers handling it.
- Category
- Flour treatment agents
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A powerful flour bleaching or oxidizing agent used to artificially age and whiten flour.
How it is used in food
Forces flour to instantly 'mature' and turn pure white, allowing bakeries to skip the natural aging process.
Commonly found in- Commercial bread (in permitted countries)
Health and safety
Repeated inhalation of the dust can cause occupational asthma. Its breakdown products in baked goods, semicarbazide and urethane, have been raised as a concern.
Evaluated by food safety authorities and determined to be unsafe for general food use.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Not approved | Not approved for general food use or historically banned due to safety concerns. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Not approved | Not approved for general food use or historically banned due to safety concerns. |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E927a
Worth knowing
Potassium bromate (E924) is still legally permitted in the United States and is a common ingredient in some American fast-food buns.
Conclusion
A carcinogenic bleaching agent banned in the EU.
References
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-08-05.
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