Harmful or Toxic Ingredients to Avoid in Food, Supplements, and Household Products

How do you know what ingredients to avoid?  It's not easy.  The U.S. food supply and consumer products are loaded with nasty ingredients.  Labels and marketing are misleading, even deceptive.  At Cleanly Curated, we prioritize your health and wellness by curating products free from harmful or toxic ingredients. Our curation process strives to exclude substances linked to health risks, from synthetic preservatives in food to endocrine disruptors in household and personal care products. Below is a list of dozens of ingredients and chemicals we try to avoid, ensuring you can trust our offerings for a cleaner, healthier lifestyle. Use this guide to make informed choices and join us in prioritizing wellbeing.

Why We Avoid These Ingredients

The ingredients listed below are widely recognized as harmful or toxic based on scientific research, regulatory warnings, and public health concerns.  From food additives like artificial sweeteners to household chemicals like ammonia, these substances may pose risks such as hormonal disruption, inflammation, or even cancer.  By reducing or excluding them, we ensure our products – spanning food, supplements, kitchen supplies, cleaning products, and personal care items – support well-being.

Explore the list below to understand what we avoid and why, and feel confident in choosing products that align with your health goals.

List of Harmful or Toxic Ingredients to Avoid

Below is a list of ingredients and chemicals we try to reduce or ideally exclude from our curated products, organized alphabetically for easy reference.  Each entry explains why the ingredient is harmful and where it’s commonly found, helping you make informed decisions.


Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic sweetener linked to potential metabolic disruptions and gut microbiome imbalances in some studies. Limited long-term safety data raises concerns. 

  • Found In: Diet sodas, sugar-free gums, and desserts.

Ammonia

  • Why It’s Harmful: A harsh chemical that can cause respiratory irritation, skin burns, and eye damage with prolonged exposure. Harmful if inhaled or mixed with other cleaners like bleach. 

  • Found In: Household cleaning products, glass cleaners, beauty products.

Artificial Food Dyes (e.g., Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Linked to hyperactivity in children, allergic reactions, and potential carcinogenic risks in animal studies. Banned or restricted in some countries. 

  • Found In: Candies, beverages, processed snacks.

Aspartame

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic sweetener associated with neurological symptoms like headaches and debated carcinogenic potential in high doses. 

  • Found In: Diet drinks, sugar-free gums, desserts, toothpaste.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

  • Why It’s Harmful: An endocrine disruptor linked to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and increased cancer risk. Found in some plastics and can linings. 

  • Found In: Canned foods, plastic food containers.

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic preservative classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). May disrupt hormones. 

  • Found In: Cereals, snack foods, chewing gum.

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic preservative with potential carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting effects. Banned in some countries due to safety concerns. 

  • Found In: Cereals, snack foods, packaging materials.

Canola Oil (Seed Oil)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids, which may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress when consumed in excess. Often highly processed with chemical solvents. 

  • Found In: Processed foods, baked goods, fried foods.

Carrageenan

  • Why It’s Harmful: A thickener derived from seaweed, linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and potential carcinogenic effects in animal studies. 

  • Found In: Dairy products, plant-based milks, processed foods.

Chlorine Bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Causes respiratory and skin irritation and releases toxic fumes when mixed with ammonia or acids. Linked to asthma and environmental harm. 

  • Found In: Laundry bleach, disinfectants, cleaning sprays.

Corn Oil (Seed Oil)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A seed oil high in omega-6s, potentially promoting inflammation. Often derived from genetically modified corn and processed with chemical solvents. 

  • Found In: Snacks, fried foods, margarine.

Cottonseed Oil (Seed Oil)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A seed oil high in omega-6s, potentially inflammatory, and may contain pesticide residues due to heavy chemical use in cotton farming. 

  • Found In: Snack foods, fried foods.

Cyclamate

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic sweetener banned in some countries (e.g., U.S.) due to potential bladder cancer risks in animal studies. 

  • Found In: Sugar-free products (where permitted).

Formaldehyde

  • Why It’s Harmful: A known carcinogen that can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and allergic reactions. Often released as a gas from certain products. 

  • Found In: Some nail polishes, hair products, cleaning products.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Linked to obesity, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease due to its high fructose content and rapid metabolism. 

  • Found In: Sodas, desserts, processed foods.

Hydroquinone

  • Why It’s Harmful: A skin-lightening agent linked to skin irritation, organ toxicity, and potential carcinogenic effects with long-term use. 

  • Found In: Skin creams, lotions.

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A flavor enhancer linked to neurological symptoms (e.g., headaches) and potential excitotoxicity in sensitive individuals. 

  • Found In: Savory snacks, soups, restaurant foods.

Oxybenzone

  • Why It’s Harmful: A chemical UV filter linked to hormonal disruption and skin allergies.

  • Found In: Sunscreens, lip balms.

Parabens (e.g., Methylparaben, Ethylparaben)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Preservatives with endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially linked to hormonal imbalances and increased breast cancer risk. 

  • Found In: Lotions, shampoos, toothpaste, cosmetics.

Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Strongly linked to heart disease, inflammation, and insulin resistance. Banned or restricted in many countries. 

  • Found In: Margarine, shortening, some baked goods.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS, e.g., Teflon)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Persistent chemicals linked to immune suppression, hormonal disruption, and cancer. Found in non-stick coatings and food packaging. 

  • Found In: Microwave popcorn bags, fast-food wrappers, cookware coatings.

Phthalates

  • Why It’s Harmful: Endocrine disruptors linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased cancer risk. Can leach into food or products from plastics. 

  • Found In: Plastic packaging, personal care products, fragrances.

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds

  • Why It’s Harmful: May be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, both potential carcinogens. Can enhance skin penetration of other harmful substances. 

  • Found In: Lotions, creams, shampoos.

Polysorbate 80

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic emulsifier that may disrupt gut health and increase intestinal permeability in animal studies. 

  • Found In: Ice cream, sauces, processed foods.

Propylparaben

  • Why It’s Harmful: A preservative with endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially linked to hormonal imbalances and reproductive toxicity. 

  • Found In: Some processed foods, cosmetics.

Saccharin

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic sweetener with historical concerns about bladder cancer risk in animal studies, though deemed safe in small amounts by some authorities. 

  • Found In: Diet beverages, tabletop sweeteners.

Sodium Benzoate

  • Why It’s Harmful: A preservative that can form benzene (a carcinogen) when combined with ascorbic acid under certain conditions. 

  • Found In: Soft drinks, sauces, pickles.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Harsh surfactants that can cause skin and eye irritation. SLES may be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a potential carcinogen. 

  • Found In: Shampoos, toothpastes, body washes, dish soaps.

Soybean Oil (Seed Oil)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A seed oil high in omega-6s, potentially inflammatory, and often derived from GMO soybeans processed with chemical solvents. 

  • Found In: Salad dressings, fried foods, processed snacks.

Sucralose

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic sweetener that may disrupt gut microbiota and glucose metabolism. Limited long-term safety data. 

  • Found In: Sugar-free products, diet drinks.

Synthetic Fragrances (Parfum/Fragrance)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Often contain undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates, linked to allergies, asthma, and hormonal disruption. 

  • Found In: Cleaning products, laundry detergents, lotions, soaps.

Talc (Asbestos-Contaminated)

  • Why It’s Harmful: Talc contaminated with asbestos is a known carcinogen, linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma when inhaled. 

  • Found In: Some cosmetic powders, baby powders.

TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)

  • Why It’s Harmful: A synthetic preservative linked to potential immune and neurological effects in animal studies. High doses may be carcinogenic. 

  • Found In: Snack foods, frozen foods, oils.

Triclosan

  • Why It’s Harmful: An antibacterial agent linked to hormonal disruption, antibiotic resistance, and environmental toxicity. 

  • Found In: Antibacterial soaps, toothpastes, hand sanitizers.

Join Our Clean Living Movement

The list of harmful and toxic ingredients is long!  And there are many others that should be avoided or minimized.  We're here to help.  Explore our curated selection of clean foods, supplements, household supplies, and personal care products today. Share this list with friends and family to spread awareness about toxic-free living!

 

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