GradeMyLabel Insights
Data-driven articles about food additives, ingredient safety, and regulatory differences across countries. Backed by our database of 582 analyzed ingredients.
Cleaning Product Labels: What You're Breathing In
Your all-purpose cleaner has ingredients you can't pronounce — and some you shouldn't inhale. Here's what's actually in household cleaning products.
Your Dog's Shampoo Might Be Toxic: Pet Grooming Ingredients to Avoid
Tea tree oil can poison cats. Permethrin kills them. Here are the grooming and topical ingredients that are dangerous for your pets — and what to use instead.
Sunscreen Ingredients: The UV Filter Safety Debate
Oxybenzone absorbs into your bloodstream. Hawaii banned it. The EU restricted it. Here's what the science says about the UV filters in your sunscreen.
Supplements & Vitamins: When 'Natural' Isn't Safe
The supplement industry is worth $60 billion and barely regulated. Here's what's hiding in your daily vitamins — and what 'proprietary blend' really means.
Toddler Snacks vs Baby Formula: The Ingredient Gap Nobody Talks About
Baby formula is one of the most regulated food products on earth. Toddler snacks marketed right next to it? Barely regulated at all. Here's what's in them.
What 71 Studies Actually Found — A 2026 Research Digest
We read 71 peer-reviewed studies on food additives, cosmetic ingredients, and household chemicals. Here's what the science actually says — grouped by what matters.
Artificial Sweeteners in 2026: The Aspartame Verdict and What Came After
IARC called aspartame a possible carcinogen. WHO recommended against sweeteners for weight loss. Here's where the science stands now.
Hair Dye and Cancer Risk: What the Research Actually Shows
130 million Americans use hair dye. Some ingredients are banned in Europe. Here's what decades of research say about the cancer question.
K-Beauty Ingredients: Innovation or Risk?
Snail mucin, fermented yeast, centella asiatica — Korean skincare ingredients are everywhere. Here's what the science says about their safety and efficacy.
Microplastics in Your Products: From Exfoliants to Tea Bags
Microplastics have been found in human blood, placentas, and lungs. Here's where they're hiding in everyday products — and which ones you can avoid.
The Preservative Paradox: Why 'Preservative-Free' Can Be Dangerous
Consumers demanded paraben-free products. The replacements were often worse. Here's the unintended consequence of the 'clean beauty' preservative purge.
School Lunch Ingredients: What's in Cafeteria Food?
30 million American kids eat school lunch daily. USDA commodity programs supply the food — but the ingredient lists might surprise you.
Seed Oils: The Internet's Most Hated Ingredient — What Does the Science Say?
Social media says seed oils are poison. Cardiologists say they're fine. Here's what the actual research shows about canola, soybean, and sunflower oil.
Ultra-Processed Foods: Why the NOVA Classification Matters
Ultra-processed foods make up 60% of American calories. The NOVA system explains why — and a landmark NIH study shows what happens when you eat them.
Vape Juice Ingredients: What You're Inhaling Beyond Nicotine
Propylene glycol is safe to eat. But is it safe to inhale thousands of times? Here's what's actually in e-liquid — and what happens when you heat it.
Banned in Europe, Legal in America: The Ingredients Your Government Won't Tell You About
The EU bans 19 ingredients that are perfectly legal in the US. Here's what they are, why they're banned, and what that means for your grocery cart.
The 10 Most Controversial Ingredients in Your Food (2026)
From titanium dioxide to brominated vegetable oil, these 10 food additives spark the most scientific debate. Here's what the research actually says and where each one stands worldwide.
How We Grade Your Labels: The Science Behind the Score
Most food apps give you a score but never explain how they got it. Here's the methodology behind GradeMyLabel's Food Risk Score — transparent, evidence-based, and free from brand influence.
2025 in Food Safety: The Year Everything Changed
From the Red Dye 3 ban to GRAS reviews and state-level action, 2025 was a turning point for food safety regulation. Here's what happened and what comes next.
INCI Decoded: The Complete Guide to Reading Cosmetic Labels
Learn to read cosmetic ingredient lists like a pro. From formaldehyde releasers to fragrance loopholes, here's what the skincare industry doesn't make easy to understand.
Pet Food Ingredients: What's Safe for You Isn't Safe for Them
Xylitol, chocolate, grapes — some everyday ingredients are lethal to pets. Learn which ones to watch for in pet food labels and human food alike.
EFSA Safety Data: What 'Acceptable Daily Intake' Actually Means
Food apps love to call ingredients 'hazardous' — but how much would you actually need to consume for harm? Understanding ADI changes everything about how you read food labels.
What Japan Bans That America Doesn't (And Vice Versa)
Japan bans BHA and BHT. The US bans cyclamates. The EU bans titanium dioxide. Every country has regulatory blind spots -- here's a map of who bans what.
Fragrance: The Ingredient Hiding 3,000 Chemicals in Plain Sight
When a label says 'Fragrance' or 'Parfum,' it could contain any of 3,000+ undisclosed chemicals. Here's what's hidden, what's been banned, and how to protect yourself.
Is Your Baby's Formula Safe? Ingredients Every Parent Should Check
Babies aren't small adults. Their developing bodies process food additives differently. Here's what to watch for in formula, baby food, and infant skincare.