Azodicarbonamide (ADA)

Also known as: ADA, azobisformamide, E927a

Varies by useunder our published method

Varies by use. The concern our method flags differs by product type and market — see the per-use verdicts below.

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

Azodicarbonamide is a flour bleaching and dough-conditioning ingredient associated with bread and cereal flour applications.

Why people ask

People ask because US federal rules list ADA for limited bakery uses while EU food-additive use depends on the positive-list system.

What our method flags — by use

Food · US federal

In US food, our method rates ADA as moderate-concern because it is listed as a dough conditioner under a quantitative limit.

The US listed by 21 CFR 172.806 azodicarbonamide as a dough conditioner in bread baking up to 0.0045 percent, or 45 ppm, by weight of flour used.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
eCFR / US FDA	The US listed by 21 CFR 172.806 azodicarbonamide as a dough conditioner in bread baking up to 0.0045 percent, or 45 ppm, by weight of flour used.	authority_regulatory	2026-07-06	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

Food · EU food-additive positive-list scope

In EU food-additive scope, our method rates ADA as higher-concern because the EU system requires Annex II authorization for food-additive use and this row records only the EU positive-list gate.

The EU restricted by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 food-additive market use to additives included in the Annex II Community list under specified conditions; this ADA row records the EU positive-list gate rather than a US-style permission.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
European Union / EUR-Lex	The EU restricted by Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 food-additive market use to additives included in the Annex II Community list under specified conditions; this ADA row records the EU positive-list gate rather than a US-style permission.	authority_regulatory	2008-12-16	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, ADA contributes a moderate concern signal in US dough-conditioner scope and a higher concern signal where the EU positive-list gate applies.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

This is what Azodicarbonamide (ADA) is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.