Kleen.ai checks every product against substances banned by the FDA, EU, and WADA, plus dozens of artificial additives and fillers linked to health risks. Here's the full list.
🚫
FDA-Banned
Substances explicitly prohibited in US dietary supplements
🇪🇺
EU-Banned Only
Legal in the US, prohibited across the EU — we flag them anyway
⚡
WADA-Prohibited
Performance enhancers banned in competitive sport worldwide
🚫
FDA-Banned Substances
These ingredients are explicitly prohibited in US dietary supplements. Any product containing them is illegal to sell in the United States.
Ephedra / Ma Huang
FDA BANNED
Stimulant alkaloid banned in 2004 after being linked to heart attacks, strokes, and over 150 deaths. Still appears in some imported "herbal" products.
Also listed as: ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (in supplements)
DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine)
FDA BANNED
Amphetamine-like stimulant linked to hemorrhagic stroke and heart attacks. Common in pre-workout products before being banned. Still found in some products.
Also listed as: methylhexaneamine, geranium extract, geranamine
DMHA (2-Aminoisoheptane)
FDA BANNED
Stimulant that replaced DMAA in many pre-workouts after DMAA was banned. FDA issued warning letters in 2018. Linked to high blood pressure and cardiac events.
Also listed as: octodrine, 2-amino-6-methylheptane
BMPEA
FDA BANNED
Amphetamine isomer found in products labeled as containing "Acacia rigidula." FDA sent warning letters in 2015 citing serious safety risks.
Also listed as: beta-methylphenethylamine
Vinpocetine
FDA ACTION
FDA proposed rule in 2019 declaring vinpocetine cannot be lawfully marketed as a dietary supplement. Linked to fetal harm and immune suppression.
Picamilon
FDA BANNED
A synthetic drug (not a dietary ingredient) made by combining GABA and niacin. FDA confirmed it cannot be legally sold as a supplement in 2015.
🇪🇺
Banned in the EU, Legal in the US
These ingredients are permitted under current US regulations but have been banned or restricted by the European Union due to health concerns. Kleen flags them as high-risk.
Titanium Dioxide (E171)
EU BANNED
Used as a whitening agent in capsules and tablets. The EU banned it in 2022 due to concerns about genotoxicity — potential DNA damage. Still common in US supplements.
Also listed as: CI 77891, TiO2
Red 40 (Allura Red)
EU RESTRICTED
The most widely used synthetic dye in the US. Banned from children's products in the EU. Linked to hyperactivity in children and potential carcinogenicity in animal studies.
Also listed as: FD&C Red No. 40, E129
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
EU RESTRICTED
Synthetic azo dye that carries mandatory "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children" warnings in the EU. Linked to allergic reactions.
Also listed as: FD&C Yellow No. 5, E102
Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)
EU RESTRICTED
Azo dye requiring EU warning label for hyperactivity in children. Contaminated batches have been found to contain benzidine, a known carcinogen.
Also listed as: FD&C Yellow No. 6, E110
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue)
FLAGGED
Synthetic dye with limited safety data. Shows potential brain toxicity at high doses in animal studies. No proven benefit in supplements — purely cosmetic.
Also listed as: FD&C Blue No. 1, E133
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
EU RESTRICTED
Synthetic antioxidant/preservative. Classified as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by the US National Toxicology Program. The EU restricts its use.
Also listed as: E320
⚡
WADA-Prohibited Substances
The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits these substances in competitive sport. Products containing them can result in automatic disqualification and suspension.
SARMs (any)
WADA BANNED
Selective androgen receptor modulators (Ostarine, LGD-4033, RAD-140, etc.) are prohibited in sport and not approved for human use by the FDA. Still sold in some "sports" supplements.
Higenamine
WADA BANNED
Beta-2 agonist found in Nandina domestica. On WADA's prohibited list. Commonly found in pre-workout and weight-loss supplements, often hidden as "Nandina extract."
Also listed as: norcoclaurine, Nandina domestica extract
Synephrine (high dose)
WADA BANNED
Found in bitter orange extract. WADA prohibits high-dose forms. Used as a stimulant and fat burner. Linked to cardiovascular adverse events, especially combined with caffeine.
Also listed as: p-synephrine, bitter orange extract, Citrus aurantium
Octopamine
WADA BANNED
Stimulant and adrenergic agonist. WADA-prohibited substance. Occasionally appears in weight loss supplements alongside synephrine.
Strychnine
WADA BANNED
Stimulant historically used as a performance enhancer. Extremely toxic at high doses. WADA-prohibited and still appears in some "traditional" herbal formulations at trace levels.
Prohormones / Androstenedione
WADA BANNED
Testosterone precursors banned by WADA and the Anabolic Steroid Control Act. Still found in some bodybuilding supplements under complex chemical names.
Also listed as: 4-androstenedione, DHEA (sport context)
⚠️
High-Penalty Flagged Ingredients
Not officially banned, but Kleen penalizes these heavily in our scoring. They're either unnecessary additives with known health concerns or ingredients that mask poor product quality.
Artificial Sweeteners
FLAGGED
Sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame-K, and saccharin. Emerging research links regular consumption to gut microbiome disruption and metabolic effects. Kleen penalizes all artificial sweeteners.
Carrageenan
FLAGGED
Derived from seaweed, used as a thickener. Studies link it to GI inflammation and increased intestinal permeability. Banned in EU organic foods. Unnecessary in most supplements.
Proprietary Blends
FLAGGED
When individual ingredient doses are hidden behind a "blend" total, there's no way to verify efficacy or safety. Kleen penalizes all proprietary blends regardless of ingredients listed.
Magnesium Stearate
LOW PENALTY
Common flow agent and filler. Not dangerous in small amounts but indicates low-quality manufacturing. Kleen applies a minor penalty as a quality signal.
Silicon Dioxide
LOW PENALTY
Anti-caking agent with no health benefit. Safe in small doses but a signal of lower-quality products. Minor penalty applied in Kleen scoring.
Hydrogenated Oils
FLAGGED
Trans fats in disguise. The FDA has restricted partially hydrogenated oils, but some residual trans fats still appear in supplement coatings and softgels.
Also listed as: partially hydrogenated soybean oil, vegetable shortening
How penalties work: Each flagged ingredient reduces a product's base score of 70. Major flags (banned substances, WADA-prohibited, FDA violations) cause large deductions of 20–40 points. Minor flags (common fillers, low-concern additives) deduct 2–8 points. A product with multiple flags can score below 30 even with otherwise solid ingredients.
Check your products now
Search our database of scored supplements and see which ones contain these flagged ingredients.