sativum.ai · Food safety
Food safety
On a packaged food, safety questions usually come down to three things: which additives it contains, which allergens are declared, and what it may contain as traces. sativum.ai explains all three for every scanned product.
In the sativum.ai database
Food safety & additives: E-numbers, allergens and traces explained
E-numbers decoded
Every E-number on a label is resolved to its real name — for example E162 becomes Betanin — and linked to the chemical page behind it. Each additive carries one of four safety labels, shown as colour-coded badges.
Green and yellow additives are treated as neutral. Orange and red additives are flagged as watch-outs wherever the product appears: on its page, in comparisons, in PDF and spreadsheet exports.
Allergens from evidence, not guesses
Allergens are taken only from the composition: the ingredient declaration and "Contains:" statements. A product name or a serving suggestion is never treated as allergen evidence, which prevents phantom allergens.
Unknown is never shown as allergen-free: when evidence is missing, the page says so instead of showing a green light.
- Declared allergens: listed as present.
- "May contain traces of…": kept in a separate may-contain list, never mixed into ingredients.
- Sulphites next to dried onion or garlic: treated as allergen carry-over, not as an artificial preservative.
Regulatory limits and contaminants
The ingredient database includes regulatory contaminant limits and health effect data per ingredient, so you can look up what is known about a spice or herb beyond its label.
Frequently asked questions
- Are all E-numbers bad?
- No. Many are harmless, which is why green and yellow additives are treated as neutral. Only orange and red ones are flagged.
- Why is an allergen listed under "may contain" and not in the ingredients?
- Trace warnings describe possible cross-contamination, not an ingredient. We keep them separate so the ingredient list stays accurate.
- Is this medical advice?
- No. sativum.ai provides information for orientation; people with allergies should always check the physical label and consult a professional.