Identifying food additives

To identify additives in packaged foods, begin with the ingredient list. Ingredients are generally listed by their common or usual names in descending order of weight. Some substances are declared using class names or other labeling conventions permitted by regulation.

An ingredient list can tell you whether a named additive is present, but it usually does not reveal its exact concentration. The presence of an additive does not by itself establish either a hazard or a safe exposure level; those judgments require information about the substance and its permitted uses.

FDA provides explanations of food ingredients, colors and additives. If you are avoiding an ingredient because of a diagnosed allergy, read the allergen labeling and seek appropriate medical guidance.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Food Ingredients and Colors — FDA

How ingredients and color additives appear on food labels.

Overview of Food Ingredients, Additives & Colors — FDA

Regulatory context for identifying and understanding additives.

Food Allergies — FDA

Information about required major-allergen declarations.

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