The Eme’s List™ Sources & Research

Toxicological Effects of Tartrazine Exposure: A Review of In Vitro and Animal Studies with Human Health Implications

Visternicu M et al. Toxics. 2025;13(9):771. doi:10.3390/toxics13090771

Covers: Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5), Allura Red (Red 40), Sunset Yellow (Yellow 6)

Also at: mdpi.com

Protecting developing brains: urgent need to regulate synthetic food dyes in children's diets

Fatima S et al. Annals of Medicine & Surgery. 2025;87(10):6918-6919. doi:10.1097/MS9.0000000000003770

Covers: FD&C dyes (incl. Red 40, Yellow 5/6, Blue 1)

Also at: DOI

Excipients in pharmaceuticals: mechanisms of hypersensitivity and the role of global pharmacovigilance

Malkawi R, Altahrawi L. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal. 2025;33(4):18. doi:10.1007/s44446-025-00004-8

Covers: Multiple excipients (broad)

Also at: DOI

EFSA prohibits titanium dioxide in food- should pharmaceuticals be next?

Dand C, Bajaj A, Wairkar S. Toxicology. 2025;513:154089. doi:10.1016/j.tox.2025.154089

Covers: Titanium dioxide

Also at: DOI

Endocrine-disrupting chemical, methylparaben, in environmentally relevant exposure promotes hazardous effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis

Azeredo DBC et al. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 2025;598:112444. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2024.112444

Covers: Methylparaben, propylparaben

Also at: DOI

Never say yes to parabens? A review on paraben compounds in potential human exposure risks

Haldar S, Mukherjee S, Dey A. The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology. 2025;86(1):13. doi:10.1186/s41936-025-00430-z

Covers: Parabens

Also at: DOI

Excipient induced allergies in oral medications: unravelling the covert threat – a systematic review

Seth S et al. Internal Medicine Journal. 2024;55(3):353-368. doi:10.1111/imj.16605

Covers: Multiple excipients

Also at: DOI

Industry's perspective on challenges assessing the in vivo impact of removing titanium dioxide (TiO2) from drug products

Abend A et al. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024;113(11):3119-3122. doi:10.1016/j.xphs.2024.08.002

Covers: Titanium dioxide (E171)

Also at: DOI

Risks of dairy derived excipients in medications for lactose intolerant and cow milk protein allergic patients

Figueiredo A et al. Scientific Reports. 2024;14(1):15631. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-66380-8

Covers: Lactose, milk-protein contaminated lactose

Also at: DOI

Hidden danger: maize starch excipient allergy

Lukose L et al. Medical Journal of Australia. 2024;220(4):184-185. doi:10.5694/mja2.52201

Covers: Maize / corn starch

Also at: DOI

Role of anti-polyethylene glycol (PEG) antibodies in the allergic reactions to PEG-containing Covid-19 vaccines: Evidence for immunogenicity of PEG

Kozma GT et al. Vaccine. 2023;41(31):4561-4570. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.009

Covers: PEG / anti-PEG IgE

Also at: DOI

Polyethylene Glycol and Polysorbate 80 Skin Tests in the Context of an Allergic Risk Assessment for Hypersensitivity Reactions to Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines

Nappi E et al. Vaccines. 2023;11(5):915. doi:10.3390/vaccines11050915

Covers: Polysorbate 80

Also at: DOI

Narrative Review: The FDA's Perfunctory Approach of Dietary Supplement Regulations Giving Rise to Copious Reports of Adverse Events

Li W, Wertheimer A. INNOVATIONS in pharmacy. 2023;14(1):7. doi:10.24926/iip.v14i1.4989

Covers: Inactive ingredients across supplements

Also at: DOI

New Challenges in Drug Allergy: the Resurgence of Excipients

Venturini Díaz M et al. Current Treatment Options in Allergy. 2022;9(3):273-291. doi:10.1007/s40521-022-00313-6

Covers: Multiple excipients

Also at: DOI

Potential impacts of synthetic food dyes on activity and attention in children: a review of the human and animal evidence

Miller MD et al. Environmental Health. 2022;21(1):45. doi:10.1186/s12940-022-00849-9

Covers: FD&C Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3

Also at: DOI

Exposures to FD&C synthetic color additives from over-the-counter medications and vitamins in United States children and pregnant women

Thilakaratne R et al. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. 2022;33(5):787-793. doi:10.1038/s41370-022-00418-9

Covers: FD&C synthetic food dyes (Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2)

Also at: DOI

The role and impact of polyethylene glycol on anaphylactic reactions to COVID-19 nano-vaccines

Bigini P et al. Nature Nanotechnology. 2021;16(11):1169-1171. doi:10.1038/s41565-021-01001-3

Covers: PEG / lipid nanoparticles

Also at: DOI

Gluten in pharmaceutical products: a scoping review

Lizano-Díez I, Mariño EL, Modamio P. Systematic Reviews. 2021;10(1):218. doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01772-9

Covers: Wheat starch / gluten

Also at: DOI

Hidden Dangers: Recognizing Excipients as Potential Causes of Drug and Vaccine Hypersensitivity Reactions

Caballero ML et al. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2021;9(8):2968-2982. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2021.03.002

Covers: Multiple excipients (PEG, polysorbate, dyes, lactose, gelatin, etc.)

Also at: DOI

Titanium dioxide particles from the diet: involvement in the genesis of inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer

Barreau F et al. Particle and Fibre Toxicology. 2021;18(1):26. doi:10.1186/s12989-021-00421-2

Covers: Titanium dioxide (E171 / TiO2 NPs)

Also at: DOI

Safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171) as a food additive

EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (Younes M, et al.). EFSA Journal. 2021;19(5):e06585. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6585

Covers: Titanium dioxide (E171)

Also at: DOI

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a cause of anaphylaxis to the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

Sellaturay P et al. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2021;51(6):861-863. doi:10.1111/cea.13874

Covers: Polyethylene glycol (PEG / macrogol)

Also at: DOI

Amended Safety Assessment of Parabens as Used in Cosmetics

Cherian P et al. International Journal of Toxicology. 2020;39(1_suppl):5S-97S. doi:10.1177/1091581820925001

Covers: Parabens (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl)

Also at: DOI

Foodborne Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Induce Stronger Adverse Effects in Obese Mice than Non-Obese Mice: Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis, Colonic Inflammation, and Proteome Alterations

Cao X et al. Small. 2020;16(36):2001858. doi:10.1002/smll.202001858

Covers: Titanium dioxide (E171 vs nano-TiO2)

Also at: DOI

Effect of Long-Term Intake of Dietary Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles on Intestine Inflammation in Mice

Mu W et al. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2019;67(33):9382-9389. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.9b02391

Covers: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles

Also at: DOI

'Inactive' ingredients in oral medications

Reker D et al. Science Translational Medicine. 2019;11(483):eaau6753. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.aau6753

Covers: Multiple excipients (lactose, dyes, peanut oil, gluten, etc.)

Why it matters: Researchers examined 42,052 oral medications and found that 92.8% contain at least one ingredient known to trigger allergic or adverse reactions — lactose in about 45%, food dyes in about 33%. The ingredients labelled “inactive” are not always inert for the person swallowing them.

Also at: Free full text (PMC) · DOI

Allergic reactions to cow's milk proteins in medications in childhood

Santoro A et al. Acta Biomedica Atenei Parmensis. 2019;90(3-S):91-93. doi:10.23750/abm.v90i3-S.8169

Covers: Cow's milk proteins in medications

Unapproved Pharmaceutical Ingredients Included in Dietary Supplements Associated With US Food and Drug Administration Warnings

Tucker J et al. JAMA Network Open. 2018;1(6):e183337. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3337

Covers: Hidden pharmaceutical ingredients

Also at: DOI

Excipients in Neonatal Medicinal Products: Never Prescribed, Commonly Administered

Valeur KS, Holst H, Allegaert K. Pharmaceutical Medicine. 2018;32(4):251-258. doi:10.1007/s40290-018-0243-9

Covers: Multiple excipients

Also at: DOI

The Cumulative Daily Tolerance Levels of Potentially Toxic Excipients Ethanol and Propylene Glycol Are Commonly Exceeded in Neonates and Infants

Valeur KS et al. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology. 2018;122(5):523-530. doi:10.1111/bcpt.12950

Covers: Propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol

Also at: DOI

Choosing a medication brand: Excipients, food intolerance and prescribing in older people

Page A, Etherton-Beer C. Maturitas. 2018;107:103-109. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.11.001

Covers: Multiple excipients (incl. excipients in geriatric polypharmacy)

Also at: DOI

Safety and regulatory review of dyes commonly used as excipients in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications

Pérez-Ibarbia L et al. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2016;93:264-273. doi:10.1016/j.ejps.2016.08.026

Covers: FD&C Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2

Also at: DOI

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles exacerbate DSS-induced colitis: role of the NLRP3 inflammasome

Ruiz PA et al. Gut. 2016;66(7):1216-1224. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2015-310297

Covers: Titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs)

Also at: DOI

Adverse reaction to benzathine benzylpenicillin due to soy allergy: a case report

Barni S et al. Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2015;9(1):134. doi:10.1186/s13256-015-0602-z

Covers: Soy lecithin

Also at: DOI

Hypersensitivity Reaction After Inhalation of a Lactose-Containing Dry Powder Inhaler

Robles J, Motheral L. The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2014;19(3):206-211. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-19.3.206

Covers: Lactose (with milk-protein contamination)

Also at: DOI

Propylene Glycol Toxicity in Children

Lim TY, Poole RL, Pageler NM. The Journal of Pediatric Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2014;19(4):277-282. doi:10.5863/1551-6776-19.4.277

Covers: Propylene glycol

Also at: DOI

Hypersensitivity reaction to human papillomavirus vaccine due to polysorbate 80

Badiu I et al. BMJ Case Reports. 2012;2012:bcr0220125797. doi:10.1136/bcr.02.2012.5797

Covers: Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80)

Also at: DOI

Meta-Analysis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Restriction Diet, and Synthetic Food Color Additives

Nigg JT et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2012;51(1):86-97.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2011.10.015

Covers: Synthetic food dyes (general)

Also at: DOI

Exposure to the pharmaceutical excipients benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol among critically ill neonates

Shehab N et al. Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 2009;10(2):256-259. doi:10.1097/pcc.0b013e31819a383c

Covers: Benzyl alcohol, propylene glycol

Also at: DOI

Type I Hypersensitivity in an Asthmatic Child Allergic to Peanuts: Was Soy Lecithin to Blame?

Béliveau S et al. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. 2008;12(1):27-30. doi:10.2310/7750.2007.00031

Covers: Soy lecithin

Also at: DOI

Sulfites—A Food and Drug Administration Review of Recalls and Reported Adverse Events

Timbo B et al. Journal of Food Protection. 2004;67(8):1806-1811. doi:10.4315/0362-028x-67.8.1806

Covers: Sulfites

Tartrazine exclusion for allergic asthma

Ardern KD, Ram FSF. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2001;2017(9):CD000460. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000460

Covers: Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5)

Also at: DOI

HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation's Food Supply

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services / FDA. FDA press announcement

Covers: FD&C Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3 (+ Citrus Red 2, Orange B)

FD&C Red No. 3 — Revocation of authorization for use in food and ingested drugs

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA.gov (order published in the Federal Register Jan 16, 2025)

Covers: FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine)

FDA alerts health care professionals, compounders and patients of potential safety risks associated with sulfite-containing compounded drugs

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA.gov — compounding safety alert

Covers: Sulfites (sodium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite)

Use of titanium dioxide as excipient in human and veterinary medicines and identification of alternatives — industry feedback report to EMA (Annex I)

EFPIA, AESGP, Medicines for Europe, EUCOPE, AnimalhealthEurope, Access VetMed, TiO2 Alternatives Consortium, IPEC (industry submission to the European Medicines Agency). European Medicines Agency (EMA) website

Covers: Titanium dioxide (TiO2)

Health Effects Assessment: Potential Neurobehavioral Effects of Synthetic Food Dyes in Children

California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) — Miller MD, Golub M, Marty M, Steinmaus C, et al. California EPA / OEHHA

Covers: FD&C Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3

Questions and answers on propylene glycol used as an excipient in medicinal products for human use (EMA/CHMP/704195/2013)

European Medicines Agency (EMA) — Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). EMA scientific guideline (adopted by CHMP 15 Dec 2016)

Covers: Propylene glycol