Azodicarbonamide in your food

 Azodicarbonamide (ADCA or ACA) is a chemical compound, commonly used as a food additive in some countries like the US and Canada, but not in the EU. It's primarily used as a flour bleaching agent and a dough conditioner, reacting with flour as an oxidizing agent. It's also known as "the yoga mat chemical" due to its use in manufacturing foamed plastics. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Chemical Formula: C₂H₄O₂N₄.

Appearance: Yellow to orange-red, odorless, crystalline powder.

Use in Food: In some countries, it's used as a flour bleaching agent and dough conditioner, with a permitted level of 45 ppm in the US and Canada. 

Reaction Products: When used with flour, it reacts as an oxidizing agent, producing primarily biurea, which is stable during baking. Secondary products include semicarbazide and ethyl carbamate. 

Food Industry Removal: Many restaurants in the US fast food industry have removed azodicarbonamide from their products due to negative publicity. 

Other Uses: It's also a key chemical in the production of expanded plastics like those used in yoga mats.

Detailed overview of azodicarbonamide (ADCA).  What foods has it been found in? Here’s a list of types of foods and products in which azodicarbonamide has been used or detected (mainly in the US and Canada, where it is permitted):

🥖 Baked Goods (Primary Category)

ADCA is primarily used in the baking industry as a dough conditioner and flour bleaching agent. It helps improve dough handling and bread texture.

Bread (white, sandwich, buns)

Bagels

English muffins

Pizza dough

Tortillas

Pastries

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🍔 Fast Food Products (Historically)

Many fast food chains in the U.S. formerly used bread or buns containing ADCA but have phased it out due to public pressure:

Subway (removed in 2014 after backlash)

McDonald’s (used in buns and rolls)

Burger King

Wendy’s

Arby’s

Jack in the Box

Chick-fil-A (in some products, previously)

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🧁 Packaged & Processed Foods

In commercially manufactured and packaged bakery items, particularly mass-produced and shelf-stable foods:

Packaged cake mixes

Frozen meals with bread components

Store-bought pastries or croissants

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❌ Not Allowed in:

European Union

Australia

Singapore (has banned its use outright, citing health concerns)

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⚠️ Health and Safety Concerns

The main controversies are due to:

Decomposition byproducts (e.g., semicarbazide, which has shown carcinogenic potential in animal studies)

Association with industrial use (yoga mats, foam soles)