Chlorine
Also known as: E925, element 17
E925 (chlorine) is banned as a food additive in the EU under Regulation 1333/2008. In the US, chlorine gas is permitted for treatment of cake flour under 21 CFR 137.155 with residue limits.
What it is
Chlorine gas (Cl2), historically used as a flour bleaching/maturing agent and water disinfectant.
Flour bleaching agent (chlorination of cake flour to alter starch behavior); not a directly added ingredient in EU.
Why it's flagged
- banned as additive in EU
- respiratory irritant
- chlorinated by-products in flour
What regulators actually say
"Bleached flour... treatment with chlorine in such quantity as will produce a finished bleached flour."
"Only the food additives included in the Union list in Annex II may be placed on the market and used in foods."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Permitted for chlorinated cake flour treatment (21 CFR 137.155); not listed as direct food additive E-number system.
European Union — EFSA
Not authorised as a food additive in the EU; deleted from permitted list under Regulation (EC) 1333/2008.
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