Trustworthy Reference

Ingredients
Decoder

Understand what's really inside your food. We've decoded the complex scientific names found on nutrition labels into simple, human-friendly terms.

Preservatives

Preservatives

Prevent food spoilage from bacteria, molds, fungi, or yeast (antimicrobials); slow or prevent changes in color, flavor, or texture and delay rancidity (antioxidants); maintain freshness

Commonly Found In

Fruit sauces and jellies, beverages, baked goods, cured meats, oils and margarines, cereals, dressings, snack foods, fruits and vegetables

On The Label

Ascorbic acid, citric acid, sodium benzoate, calcium propionate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite, calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate, BHA, BHT, EDTA, tocopherols (Vitamin E)

Sweeteners

Sweeteners

Add sweetness with or without the extra calories

Commonly Found In

Beverages, baked goods, confections, table-top sugar, substitutes, many processed foods

On The Label

Sucrose (sugar), glucose, fructose, sorbitol, mannitol, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K), neotame

Color Additives

Color Additives

Offset color loss due to exposure to light, air, temperature extremes, moisture and storage conditions; correct natural variations in color; enhance colors that occur naturally; provide color to colorless and "fun" foods

Commonly Found In

Many processed foods, (candies, snack foods margarine, soft drinks, jams/jellies, gelatins, pudding and pie fillings)

On The Label

FD&C Blue Nos. 1 and 2, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red Nos. 3 and 40, FD&C Yellow Nos. 5 and 6, Orange B, Citrus Red No. 2, annatto extract, beta-carotene, grape skin extract, cochineal extract or carmine, paprika oleoresin, caramel color, fruit and vegetable juices, saffron

Flavors and Spices

Flavors and Spices

Add specific flavors (natural and artificial)

Commonly Found In

Pudding and pie fillings, gelatin dessert mixes, cake mixes, salad dressings, candies, soft drinks, ice cream, BBQ sauce

On The Label

Natural flavoring, artificial flavor, and spices

Flavor Enhancers

Flavor Enhancers

Enhance flavors already present in foods (without providing their own separate flavor)

Commonly Found In

Many processed foods

On The Label

Monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract, disodium guanylate or inosinate

Fat Replacers

Fat Replacers

Provide expected texture and a creamy "mouth-feel" in reduced-fat foods

Commonly Found In

Baked goods, dressings, frozen desserts, confections, cake and dessert mixes, dairy products

On The Label

Cellulose gel, carrageenan, polydextrose, modified food starch, microparticulated egg white protein, guar gum, xanthan gum, whey protein concentrate

Nutrients

Nutrients

Replace vitamins and minerals lost in processing (enrichment), add nutrients that may be lacking in the diet (fortification)

Commonly Found In

Flour, breads, cereals, rice, macaroni, margarine, salt, milk, orange juice energy bars, instant breakfast drinks

On The Label

Thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin (Vitamin B2), niacin, niacinamide, folate or folic acid, beta carotene, potassium iodide, iron or ferrous sulfate, alpha tocopherols, ascorbic acid, Vitamin D, amino acids

Emulsifiers

Emulsifiers

Allow smooth mixing of ingredients, prevent separation. Keep emulsified products stable, reduce stickiness, control crystallization, keep ingredients dispersed

Commonly Found In

Salad dressings, peanut butter, chocolate, margarine, frozen desserts

On The Label

Soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, egg yolks, polysorbates, sorbitan monostearate

Stabilizers and Thickeners

Stabilizers and Thickeners

Produce uniform texture, improve "mouth-feel"

Commonly Found In

Frozen desserts, dairy products, cakes, pudding and gelatin mixes, dressings, jams and jellies, sauces

On The Label

Gelatin, pectin, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum, whey

pH Control Agents

pH Control Agents

Control acidity and alkalinity, prevent spoilage

Commonly Found In

Beverages, frozen desserts, chocolate, low acid canned foods, baking powder

On The Label

Lactic acid, citric acid, ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate

Leavening Agents

Leavening Agents

Promote rising of baked goods

Commonly Found In

Breads and other baked goods

On The Label

Baking soda, monocalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate

Anti-caking agents

Anti-caking agents

Keep powdered foods free-flowing, prevent moisture absorption

Commonly Found In

Salt, baking powder, confectioner's sugar

On The Label

Calcium silicate, iron ammonium citrate, silicon dioxide

Humectants

Humectants

Retain moisture

Commonly Found In

Shredded coconut, marshmallows, soft candies, confections

On The Label

Glycerin, sorbitol

Yeast Nutrients

Yeast Nutrients

Promote growth of yeast

Commonly Found In

Breads and other baked goods

On The Label

Calcium sulfate, ammonium phosphate

Dough Strengtheners

Dough Strengtheners

Produce more stable dough

Commonly Found In

Breads and other baked goods

On The Label

Ammonium sulfate, azodicarbonamide, L-cysteine

Firming Agents

Firming Agents

Maintain crispness and firmness

Commonly Found In

Processed fruits and vegetables

On The Label

Calcium chloride, calcium lactate

Enzyme Preparations

Enzyme Preparations

Modify proteins, polysaccharides and fats

Commonly Found In

Cheese, dairy products, meat

On The Label

Enzymes, lactase, papain, rennet, chymosin

Gases

Gases

Serve as propellant, aerate, or create carbonation

Commonly Found In

Oil cooking spray, whipped cream, carbonated beverages

On The Label

Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide