Specimen No. 0192
AvoidSyntheticfood banned near banned processing agents
Chlorine Dioxide
flour bleaching agent
Master DB rating: Avoid. Listed for: Bleached flour products
low confidence
Researched July 7, 2026Specimen 0192Chlorine Dioxide
Concerns
- Chlorine dioxide bleaching has been shown to form trace levels of alloxan (a compound used to chemically induce diabetes in laboratory rodents at much higher doses) in some bleached flour samples, detected via LC-MS/MS in roughly a quarter of tested samples at ~1 ppm mean concentration
- [Inference] Human diabetes risk from dietary alloxan exposure at these trace concentrations is not established — this remains an unproven concern, not a demonstrated health risk; also destroys vitamin E in flour and is not listed on labels as it is classified a processing aid
Regulatory flags
- ⚑IARC Class: NL
- ⚑EDC Status: None
- ⚑Regulatory: US: GRAS processing aid (21 CFR 137.105); EU: banned
- ⚑Evidence Grade: C
Commonly found in
Bleached flour products
Sources & references
Last researched: July 7, 2026
Research disclaimer: This rating is based on available peer-reviewed research and regulatory assessments at the time of publication. It is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for personal health or skin concerns.
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