Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste, appearance, or other qualities.
Purposes Additives are used for many purposes but the main uses are:
Acids Food acids are added to make flavors "sharper", and also act as preservatives and antioxidants. Common food acids include vinegar, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, folic acid, fumaric acid, and lactic acid. Acidity regulators Acidity regulators are used to change or otherwise control the acidity and alkalinity of foods. Anticaking agents Anticaking agents keep powders such as milk powder from caking or sticking. Antifoaming agents Antifoaming agents reduce or prevent foaming in foods. Antioxidants Antioxidants such as vitamin C act as preservatives by inhibiting the effects of oxygen on food, and can be beneficial to health. Bulking agents Bulking agents such as starch are additives that increase the bulk of a food without affecting its nutritional value. Food coloring Colorings are added to food to replace colors lost during preparation, or to make food look more attractive. Color retention agents In contrast to colorings, color retention agents are used to preserve a food's existing color. Emulsifiers Emulsifiers allow water and oils to remain mixed together in an emulsion, as in mayonnaise, ice cream, and homogenized milk. Flavors Flavors are additives that give food a particular taste or smell, and may be derived from natural ingredients or created artificially. Flavor enhancers Flavor enhancers enhance a food's existing flavors. They may be extracted from natural sources (through distillation, solvent extraction, maceration, among other methods) or created artificially. Flour treatment agents Flour treatment agents are added to flour to improve its color or its use in baking. Glazing agents Glazing agents provide a shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Humectants Humectants prevent foods from drying out. Tracer gas Tracer gas allow for package integrity testing to prevent foods from being exposed to atmosphere, thus guaranteeing shelf life. Preservatives Preservatives prevent or inhibit spoilage of food due to fungi, bacteria and other microorganisms. Stabilizers Stabilizers, thickeners and gelling agents, like agar or pectin (used in jam for example) give foods a firmer texture. While they are not true emulsifiers, they help to stabilize emulsions. Sweeteners Sweeteners are added to foods for flavoring. Sweeteners other than sugar are added to keep the food energy (calories) low, or because they have beneficial effects for diabetes mellitus and tooth decay. Thickeners Thickeners are substances which, when added to the mixture, increase its viscosity without substantially modifying its other properties. Caffeine and other GRAS (generally recognized as safe) additives such as sugar and salt are not required to go through the regulation process.
Alphabetical index of food additives
0–9 1,4-heptonolactone – food acid * 2-hydroxybiphenyl – preservative
A Abietic acid – Acacia vera – Acacia – thickener, emulsifier, and stabilizer Acesulfame potassium – artificial sweetener Acesulfame – Acetic acid – acidity regulator Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier Acetone – Acetylated distarch adipate – thickener, vegetable gum Acetylated distarch phosphate – thickener, vegetable gum Acetylated oxidised starch – thickener, vegetable gum Acetylated starch – thickener, vegetable gum Acid treated starch – thickener, vegetable gum Adipic acid – food acid Agar – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent Alcohol – Alfalfa – Alginic acid – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Alitame – artificial sweetener Alkaline treated starch – thickener, vegetable gum Alkanet – color (red) Allspice – Allura red AC – color (FDA: FD&C Red #40) Almond oil – used as a substitute for olive oil. Also used as an emollient. Aluminium – color (silver) Aluminium ammonium sulfate – mineral salt Aluminium potassium sulfate – mineral salt Aluminium silicate – anti-caking agent Aluminium sodium sulfate – mineral salt Aluminium sulfate – mineral salt Amaranth – color (red) (FDA: [DELISTED] Red #2) Note that amaranth dye is unrelated to the amaranth plant Amaranth oil – high in squalene and unsaturated fatty acids – used in food and cosmetic industries. Amchur (mango powder) – Ammonium acetate – preservative, acidity regulator Ammonium adipates – acidity regulator Ammonium alginate – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Ammonium bicarbonate – mineral salt Ammonium carbonate – mineral salt Ammonium chloride – mineral salt Ammonium ferric citrate – food acid Ammonium fumarate – food acid Ammonium hydroxide – mineral salt Ammonium lactate – food acid Ammonium malate – food acid Ammonium phosphates – mineral salt Ammonium phosphatides – emulsifier Ammonium polyphosphates – anti-caking agent Ammonium sulfate – mineral salt, improving agent Amylases – flour treatment agent Angelica (Angelica archangelica) – Anise – Annatto – color Anthocyanins – color Apricot oil – a cooking oil from certain cultivars. Arabinogalactan – thickener, vegetable gum Argan oil – a food oil from Morocco that has also attracted recent attention in Europe. Argon – propellant Rocket (Arugula) – Asafoetida – Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) – antioxidant (water-soluble) Ascorbyl palmitate – antioxidant (fat soluble) Ascorbyl stearate – antioxidant (fat soluble) Aspartame – artificial sweetener Aspartame-acesulfame salt – artificial sweetener Astaxanthin – color Avocado oil – used a substitute for olive oil. Also used in cosmetics and skin care products. Azodicarbonamide – flour bleaching agent. Also used in the production of foamed plastics and the manufacture of gaskets. Banned as a food additive in Australia and Europe. Azorubine – color (red) (FDA: Ext D&C Red #10)
B Babassu oil – similar to, and used as a substitute for coconut oil. Baking powder – leavening agent; includes acid and base Baking soda – food base Balm, lemon – Balm oil – Balsam of Peru – used in food and drink for flavoring Barberry – Barley flour – Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – Basil extract – Bay leaves – Beeswax – glazing agent Beet red – color (red) Beetroot red – color (red) Ben oil – extracted from the seeds of the moringa oleifera. High in behenic acid. Extremely stable edible oil. Also suitable for biofuel. Bentonite – anti-caking agent Benzoic acid – preservative Benzoyl peroxide – flour treatment agent Berebere – Bergamot – in Earl Grey tea Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30) – color Beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid ethyl ester – color Betanin – color (red) Biphenyl – preservative Bison grass (Hierochloe odorata) – Bixin – color Black 7984 – color (brown and black) Black cardamom – Black cumin – Blackcurrant seed oil – used as a food supplement, because of high content of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Also used in cosmetics. Black limes – Pepper (black, white, and green) – Black PN – color (brown and black) Bleached starch – thickener, vegetable gum Bolivian Coriander (Porophyllum ruderale) – Bone phosphate – anti-caking agent Borage (Borago officinalis) – Borage seed oil – similar to blackcurrant seed oil – used primarily medicinally. Borax – Boric acid – preservative Brilliant Black BN- color (brown and black) Brilliant blue FCF – color (FDA: FD&C Blue #1) Brilliant Scarlet 4R – color (FDA: Ext D&C Red #8) Brominated vegetable oil – emulsifier, stabiliser Brown FK – color (brown and black) Bush tomato – Butane – propellant Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) – antioxidant (fat soluble) Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) – antioxidant (fat soluble)
C Cacao shell – Cachou extract – Cactus root extract – Cadinene – Caffeine – stimulant Cajeput oil – Calamus – Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides – flavor enhancer Calcium acetate – preservative, acidity regulator Calcium alginate – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Calcium ascorbate – antioxidant (water-soluble) Calcium aluminosilicate (calcium aluminium silicate) – anti-caking agent Calcium ascorbate (Vitamin C) – Calcium benzoate – preservative Calcium bisulfite – preservative, antioxidant Calcium carbonates – color (white), anticaking agent, stabiliser Calcium chloride – mineral salt Calcium citrates – food acid, firming agent Calcium diglutamate – flavor enhancer Calcium disodium EDTA – preservative Calcium ferrocyanide – anti-caking agent Calcium formate – preservative Calcium fumarate – food acid Calcium gluconate – acidity regulator Calcium guanylate – flavor enhancer Calcium hydrogen sulfite – preservative, antioxidant Calcium hydroxide – mineral salt Calcium inosinate – flavor enhancer Calcium lactate – food acid Calcium lactobionate – stabilizer Calcium malates – food acid Calcium oxide – mineral salt Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) – Calcium peroxide – Calcium phosphates – mineral salt, anti-caking agent, firming agent Calcium polyphosphates – anti-caking agent Calcium propionate – preservative Calcium salts of fatty acids – emulsifier, stabiliser, anti-caking agent Calcium silicate – anti-caking agent Calcium sorbate – preservative Calcium stearoyl lactylate – emulsifier Calcium sulfate – flour treatment agent, mineral salt, sequestrant, improving agent, firming agent Calcium sulfite – preservative, antioxidant Calcium tartrate – food acid, emulsifier Camomile – Candelilla wax – glazing agent Candle nut – Canola oil/Rapeseed oil – one of the most widely used cooking oils, from a (trademarked) cultivar of rapeseed Canthaxanthin – color Caper (Capparis spinosa) – Caprylic acid - preservative Capsanthin – color Capsorubin – color Carrageenan – A family of linear sulphated polysaccharides extracted from red seaweeds. Caramel I (plain) – color (brown and black) Caramel II (Caustic Sulfite process) – color (brown and black) Caramel III (Ammonia process) – color (brown and black) Caramel IV (Ammonia sulfite process) – color (brown and black) Caraway – Carbamide – flour treatment agent Carbon black – color (brown and black) Carbon dioxide – acidity regulator, propellant Cardamom – carmines – color (red) Carmoisine – color (red) (FDA: Ext D&C Red #10) Carnauba wax – glazing agent Carob pod – Carob pod oil/Algaroba oil – used medicinally Carotenes – color Alpha-carotene – color Beta-carotene – color Gamma-carotene – color Carrageenan – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Carrot oil – Cashew oil – somewhat comparable to olive oil. May have value for fighting dental cavities. Cassia – Catechu extract – Celery salt – Celery seed – Wheat germ oil – used as a food supplement, and for its "grainy" flavor. Also used medicinally. Highly unstable. Chalk – color (white), anticaking agent, stabiliser Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) – Chicory – Chicory Root Extract – High in Inulin Chile pepper – Chili powder – Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) – Chlorine dioxide – flour treatment agent Chlorine – flour treatment agent Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins – color (green) Chocolate Brown HT – color Choline salts and esters – emulsifier Chrysoine resorcinol – color (red) Cicely (Myrrhis odorata) – Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata) – Cilantro (see Coriander) (Coriandrum sativum) – Cinnamon – Cinnamon oil – used for flavoring. Citranaxanthin – color Citric acid – food acid Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier Citrus red 2 – color (red) Cloves – Cochineal – color (red) Coconut oil – a cooking oil, high in saturated fat – particularly used in baking and cosmetics. Sage (Salvia officinalis) – Copper complexes of chlorophylls – color (green) Coriander – Coriander seed oil – used medicinally. Also used as a flavoring agent in pharmaceutical and food industries. Corn oil – one of the most common, and inexpensive cooking oils. Corn syrup – Cottonseed oil – a major food oil, often used in industrial food processing. Cress – Crocetin – color Crocin – color Crosslinked Sodium carboxymethylcellulose – emulsifier Cryptoxanthin – color Cumin – Cumin oil/Black seed oil – used as a flavor, particularly in meat products. Also used in veterinary medicine. Cupric sulfate – mineral salt Curcumin – color (yellow and orange) Curry powder – Curry leaf (Murraya koenigii) – Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) – Cyclamates – artificial sweetener Cyclamic acid – artificial sweetener beta-cyclodextrin – emulsifier Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, C. flexuosus, and other species) –
D Damiana (Turnera aphrodisiaca, T. diffusa) – Dandelion leaf – Dandelion Root – Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – Decanal dimethyl acetal – Decanal – Decanoic acid – Dehydroacetic acid – preservative Delta-tocopherol(synthetic) – antioxidant Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)– medicinal Dextrin roasted starch – thickener, vegetable gum Diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier Dicalcium diphosphate – anti-caking agent Dilauryl thiodipropionate – antioxidant Dill seed – Dill (Anethum graveolens) – Dimethyl dicarbonate – preservative Dimethylpolysiloxane – emulsifier, anti-caking agent Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate – emulsifier Diphenyl – preservative Diphosphates – mineral salt, emulsifier Dipotassium guanylate – flavor enhancer Dipotassium inosinate – flavor enhancer Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides – flavor enhancer Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate – antioxidant, preservative Disodium guanylate – flavor enhancer Disodium inosinate – flavor enhancer Distarch phosphate – thickener, vegetable gum Distearyl thiodipropionate – antioxidant Dl-alpha-tocopherol (synthetic) – antioxidant Dodecyl gallate – antioxidant
E Echinacea – EDTA – Antioxidant, Chelating Agent Egg – Egg yolk – Egg white – Elderberry – Eleutherococcus senticosus – Enzymatically hydrolyzed Carboxymethyl cellulose – emulsifier Enzyme treated starch – thickener, vegetable gum Epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) – Epsom salts – mineral salt, acidity regulator, firming agent Erythorbic acid – antioxidant Erythrosine – color (red) (FDA: FD&C Red #3) Erythritol – sweetener Ethanol (alcohol) – Ethoxyquin - antioxidant, preservative Ethyl maltol – flavor enhancer Ethyl methyl cellulose – thickener, vegetable gum, emulsifier Ethylparaben (ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate) – preservative Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid – Evening primrose oil – used as a food supplement for its purported medicinal properties.
F False flax oil – made of the seeds of Camelina sativa. Can be considered as a food or fuel oil. Fantesk – Farnesol – Fast green FCF – color (FDA: FD&C Green #3) Fat – Flavoxanthin – color Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – Fenugreek – Ferric ammonium citrate – food acid Ferrous gluconate – color retention agent Ferrous lactate – Filé powder – Five-spice powder (Chinese) – Fo-ti-tieng – Formaldehyde – preservative Formic acid – preservative Fructose – Fumaric acid – acidity regulator Folic acid – fortyfying agent
G Galangal – Galangal root – Galbanum oil – Gallic acid – Gamma-tocopherol(synthetic) – antioxidant Garam masala – Garlic extract – Garlic – Garlic oil – Gelatin/gelatine – Gelling agent, emulsifier Gellan gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier Ginger – Ginger oil – Ginger root – Ginseng – Glacial Acetic acid – preservative, acidity regulator Glucitol – Gluconate – Glucono delta-lactone – acidity regulator Glucose oxidase – antioxidant Glucose syrup – sweetener Glutamate – Glutamic acid – flavor enhancer Gluten – Glycerin – humectant, sweetener Glycerol – Glycerol ester of wood rosin – emulsifier Glyceryl distearate – emulsifier Glyceryl monostearate – emulsifier Glycine – flavor enhancer Glyoxylic acid – Gold – color (gold) Grains of paradise – Grape color extract – Grape seed oil – suitable for cooking at high temperatures. Also used as a salad oil, and in cosmetics. Green S – color (green) Green tea – Guanylic acid – flavor enhancer Guar gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer Guaranine – Gum arabic / Gum acacia / E414 – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier Gum guaicum – preservative
H Haw bark – Hazelnut oil – used for its flavor. Also used in skin care, because of its slight astringent nature. Heliotropin – Helium – propellant Hemlock oil – Hemp oil – a high quality food oil. Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate – preservative Hesperidin – Hexamine (hexamethylene tetramine) – preservative Hexyl acetate – High fructose corn syrup – Horseradish – Hydrochloric acid – acidity regulator Hydroxypropyl cellulose – thickener, vegetable gum, emulsifier Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate – thickener, vegetable gum Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose – thickener, vegetable gum, emulsifier Hydroxypropyl starch – thickener, vegetable gum Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) –
I Indanthrene blue RS – color (blue) Indigo carmine – color (blue) (FDA: FD&C Blue #2) Indigotine – color (blue) (FDA: FD&C Blue #2) Indole – Inosinate – Inosinic acid – flavor enhancer Inositol – Insoluble fiber – Intense sweeteners – Inulin – Invert sugar – Invertase – Iron ammonium citrate – Iron – Iron oxides and hydroxides – color Isobutane – propellant Isomalt – humectant Isopropyl citrates – antioxidant, preservative
J Jasmine – Jamaican jerk spice – Jasmine absolute – Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) – Juniper – Juniper berry – Juniper berry oil – used as a flavor. Also used medicinally, including traditional medicine. Juniper extract –
K Kaffir Lime Leaves (Citrus hystrix, C. papedia) – Kaolin – anti-caking agent Kapok seed oil, obtained from any of several related tree species, all referred to as "Kapok trees", for example: Ceiba pentandra, Bombax ceiba and Bombax costatum – used as an edible oil, and in soap production. Karaya gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier Kelp – Kokam – Kola nut extract – Konjac – thickener, vegetable gum Konjac glucomannate – thickener, vegetable gum Konjac gum – thickener, vegetable gum
L L-cysteine – flour treatment agent Lactic acid – acidity regulator, preservative, antioxidant Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier Lactitol – humectant Lactose – Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycol – emulsifier Larch gum – Lard – Latolrubine – color Laurel berry – Laurel leaf oil – Lavender (Lavandula spp.) – Lavender oil – Lecithins – antioxidant, Emulsifier Lecithin citrate – preservative Lemon – Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) – Lemon extract – Lemon juice – Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) – Lemon oil – Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) – Lemongrass Oil – Leucine – flavor enhancer Licorice – Lipases – flavor enhancer Lithol Rubine BK – color Litholrubine – color Locust bean gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Long pepper – Lovage (Levisticum officinale) – L(+)-Tartaric acid – food acid Lutein – color Lycopene – color Lysine – Lysozyme – preservative
M Macadamia oil – used as an edible oil. Also used as a massage oil. Mace – Magnesium – Magnesium carbonate – anti-caking agent, mineral salt Magnesium chloride – mineral salt Magnesium citrate – acidity regulator Magnesium diglutamate – flavor enhancer Magnesium hydroxide – mineral salt Magnesium lactate – food acid Magnesium oxide – anti-caking agent Magnesium phosphates – mineral salt, anti-caking agent Magnesium salts of fatty acids – emulsifier, stabiliser, anti-caking agent Magnesium silicate – anti-caking agent Magnesium stearate – emulsifier, stabiliser Magnesium sulfate – mineral salt, acidity regulator, firming agent Mahleb – Malabathrum – Malic acid – acidity regulator Malt extract – flavor enhancer Maltitol – humectant, stabiliser Maltodextrin – carbohydrate sweetener Maltol – flavor enhancer Maltose – Mandarin oil – leavening agent Manganese – Mannitol – humectant, anti-caking agent, sweetener Margarine – Marjoram (Origanum majorana) – Mastic – Meadowfoam seed oil – highly stable oil, with over 98% long-chain fatty acids. Competes with rapeseed oil for industrial applications. Mega-purple – a Kosher food additive made from grapes Mentha arvensis oil/Mint oil, used in flavoring toothpastes, mouthwashes and pharmaceuticals, as well as in aromatherapy and other medicinal applications. Metatartaric acid – food acid, emulsifier Methionine – Methyl butyrate – Methyl disulfide – Methyl ethyl cellulose – thickener, vegetable gum, emulsifier Methyl hexenoate – Methyl isobutyrate – Methylcellulose – thickener, emulsifier, vegetable gum Methylparaben (methyl para-hydroxybenzoate) – preservative Methyltheobromine – Microcrystalline cellulose – anti-caking agent Milk thistle (Silybum) – Milk – Mint (Mentha spp.) – Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier Modified starch – Molasses extract – Molybdenum – Bergamot (Monarda didyma) – Mono- and diglycerides of Fatty acids – emulsifier Monoammonium glutamate – flavor enhancer Monopotassium glutamate – flavor enhancer Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – flavor enhancer Monostarch phosphate – thickener, vegetable gum Montanic acid esters – humectant Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) – Mustard – Mustard oil – (essential oil), containing a high percentage of allyl isothiocyanate or other isothiocyanates, depending on the species of mustard Mustard oil (pressed) – used in India as a cooking oil. Also used as a massage oil. Mustard plant – Mustard seed –
N Natamycin – preservative Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone – artificial sweetener Niacin (vitamin B3) – color retention agent nicotinic acid (vitamin B3) – color retention agent Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) – color retention agent Nigella (Kolanji, Black caraway) – Nisin – preservative Nitrogen – propellant Nitrous oxide – propellant Norbixin – color Nordihydroguaiaretic acid - antioxidant. Banned as a food additive since the early 1960s. Nutmeg –
O Octyl gallate – antioxidant, preservative Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis et al.) – Okra oil (Hibiscus seed oil) – from the seed of the Hibiscus esculentus. Composed predominantly of oleic and lanoleic acids. Oleomargarine – Olive oil – used in cooking – cosmetics – soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps Orange GGN – color (orange) Orange oil – like lemon oil – cold pressed rather than distilled. Consists of 90% d-Limonene. Used as a fragrance, in cleaning products and in flavoring foods. Orcein – color (red) Orchil – color (red) Oregano (Origanum vulgare, O. heracleoticum, and other species) – Oregano oil – contains thymol and carvacrol Orris root – Orthophenyl phenol – preservative Oxidised polyethylene wax – humectant Oxidised starch – thickener, vegetable gum Oxystearin – antioxidant, sequestrant
P Palm oil – the most widely produced tropical oil. Also used to make biofuel. Panax ginseng – Panax quinquefolius – Ponch phoran – Pandan leaf – Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) – Papain – A cysteine protease hydrolase enzyme present in papaya (Carica papaya) and mountain papaya (Vasconcellea cundinamarcensis). Paprika red – Paprika – Paprika extract – Paraffins – glazing agent Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) – Patent blue V – color (blue) Peanut oil/Ground nut oil – mild-flavored cooking oil. Pecan oil – valued as a food oil, but requiring fresh pecans for good quality oil. Pectin – vegetable gum, emulsifier Perilla seed oil – high in omega-3 fatty acids. Used as an edible oil, for medicinal purposes, in skin care products and as a drying oil. Phosphated distarch phosphate – thickener, vegetable gum Phosphoric acid – food acid Phytic acid – preservative Pigment Rubine – color Pimaricin – preservative Pine needle oil Pine seed oil – an expensive food oil, used in salads and as a condiment. Pistachio oil – strongly flavored oil, particularly for use in salads. Prune kernel oil – marketed as a gourmet cooking oil Poly vinyl pyrrolidone – Polydextrose – humectant Polyethylene glycol 8000 – antifoaming agent Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids – emulsifier Polyglycerol polyricinoleate – emulsifier Polymethylsiloxane – antifoaming agent Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate – emulsifier Polyoxyethylene (8) stearate – emulsifier, stabilizer Polyphosphates – mineral salt, emulsifier Polysorbate 20 – emulsifier Polysorbate 40 – emulsifier Polysorbate 60 – emulsifier Polysorbate 65 – emulsifier Polysorbate 80 – emulsifier Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone – color stabiliser Pomegranate seeds (though some consider these a fruit, not a spice) – Ponceau 4R – color (FDA: Ext D&C Red #8) Ponceau 6R – color Ponceau SX – color Poppy seed – Poppyseed oil – used for cooking, moisturizing skin, and in paints, varnishes and soaps. Potassium acetates – preservative, acidity regulator Potassium adipate – food acid Potassium alginate – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Potassium aluminium silicate – anti-caking agent Potassium ascorbate – antioxidant (water-soluble) Potassium benzoate – preservative Potassium bicarbonate – mineral salt Potassium bisulfite – preservative, antioxidant Potassium bromate – flour treatment agent Potassium carbonate – mineral salt Potassium chloride – mineral salt Potassium citrates – food acid Potassium ferrocyanide – anti-caking agent Potassium fumarate – food acid Potassium gluconate – stabiliser Potassium hydrogen sulfite – preservative, antioxidant Potassium hydroxide – mineral salt Potassium lactate – food acid Potassium malate – food acid Potassium metabisulfite – preservative, antioxidant Potassium nitrate – preservative, color fixative Potassium nitrite – preservative, color fixative Potassium phosphates – mineral salt Potassium propionate – preservative Potassium salts of fatty acids – emulsifier, stabiliser, anti-caking agent Potassium sodium tartrate – food acid Potassium sorbate – preservative Potassium sulfate – mineral salt, seasoning Potassium sulfite – preservative, antioxidant Potassium tartrates – food acid Powdered Cellulose – anti-caking agent Primrose (Primula) – candied flowers, tea Processed Eucheuma seaweed – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Propane-1,2-diol alginate – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier Propionic acid – preservative Propyl gallate – antioxidant Propylene glycol – humectant Propylene glycol alginate – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids – emulsifier Propylparaben (propyl para-hydroxybenzoate) – preservative Pumpkin seed oil – a specialty cooking oil, produced in Austria and Slovenia. Doesn't tolerate high temperatures. Pulegone – flavoring present in mint Purslane – Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) –
Q Quatre épices – Quillaia extract – humectant Quinoa oil – similar in composition and use to corn oil Quinoline Yellow WS – color (yellow and orange) (FDA: D&C Yellow #10)
R Ramtil oil – pressed from the seeds of the one of several species of genus Guizotia abyssinica (Niger pea) in India and Ethiopia. Used for both cooking and lighting. Ras-el hanout – Raspberry (leaves) – Red 2G – color Refined microcrystalline wax – glazing agent Rhodoxanthin – color Riboflavin (vitamin B2) – color (yellow and orange) Rice bran oil – suitable for high temperature cooking. Widely used in Asia. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) – Rubixanthin – color
S Saccharin – artificial sweetener Safflower oil – a flavorless and colorless cooking oil. Safflower – Saffron – color Saigon Cinnamon – Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor or Poterium sanguisorba) – Salt – Sandalwood – color Savory (Satureja hortensis, S. montana) – Scarlet GN – color Sesame oil – used as a cooking oil, and as a massage oil, particularly in India. Sesame seed – Shellac – glazing agent Sichuan pepper (Xanthoxylum piperitum) – Silicon dioxide – anti-caking agent Silver – color (silver) Luohanguo – Sodium acetate – preservative, acidity regulator Sodium adipate – food acid Sodium alginate – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, gelling agent, emulsifier Sodium aluminium phosphate – acidity regulator, emulsifier Sodium aluminosilicate (sodium aluminium silicate) – anti-caking agent Sodium ascorbate – antioxidant (water-soluble) Sodium benzoate – preservative Sodium bicarbonate – mineral salt Sodium bisulfite (sodium hydrogen sulfite) – preservative, antioxidant Sodium carbonate – mineral salt Sodium carboxymethylcellulose – emulsifier Sodium citrates – food acid Sodium dehydroacetate – preservative Sodium erythorbate – antioxidant Sodium erythorbin – antioxidant Sodium ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate – preservative Sodium ferrocyanide – anti-caking agent Sodium formate – preservative Sodium fumarate – food acid Sodium gluconate – stabiliser Sodium hydrogen acetate – preservative, acidity regulator Sodium hydroxide – mineral salt Sodium lactate – food acid Sodium malates – food acid Sodium metabisulfite – preservative, antioxidant, bleaching agent Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate – preservative Sodium nitrate – preservative, color fixative Sodium nitrite – preservative, color fixative Sodium orthophenyl phenol – preservative Sodium propionate – preservative Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate – preservative Sodium sorbate – preservative Sodium stearoyl lactylate – emulsifier Sodium succinates – acidity regulator, flavor enhancer Sodium salts of fatty acids – emulsifier, stabiliser, anti-caking agent Sodium sulfite – mineral salt, preservative, antioxidant Sodium sulfite – preservative, antioxidant Sodium tartrates – food acid Sodium tetraborate – preservative Sorbic acid – preservative Sorbitan monolaurate – emulsifier Sorbitan monooleate – emulsifier Sorbitan monopalmitate – emulsifier Sorbitan monostearate – emulsifier Sorbitan tristearate – emulsifier Sorbitol – humectant, emulsifier, sweetener Sorbol – Sorrel (Rumex spp.) – Soybean oil – accounts for about half of worldwide edible oil production. Spearmint oil – often used in flavoring mouthwash and chewing gum, among other applications. Star anise – Star anise oil – highly fragrant oil using in cooking. Also used in perfumery and soaps, has been used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams. 90% of the world's star anise crop is used in the manufacture of Tamiflu, a drug used to treat avian flu. Starch sodium octenylsuccinate – thickener, vegetable gum Stearic acid – anti-caking agent Stearyl tartarate – emulsifier Succinic acid – food acid Sucralose – artificial sweetener Sucroglycerides – emulsifier Sucrose acetate isobutyrate – emulsifier, stabiliser Sucrose esters of fatty acids – emulsifier Sugar – Sulfur dioxide – preservative, antioxidant Sulfuric acid – acidity regulator Sumac – Sunflower oil – a common cooking oil, also used to make biodiesel. Sunset Yellow FCF – color (yellow and orange) (FDA: FD&C Yellow #6) Sweet basil – Sweet woodruff –
T Talc – anti-caking agent Tamarind – flavoring Tanacetum balsamita / Costmary – Tandoori masala – Tannins – color, emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener Tansy – Tara gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus) – Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier Tartrazine – color (yellow and orange) (FDA: FD&C Yellow #5) Tea oil/Camellia oil – widely used in southern China as a cooking oil. Also used in making soaps, hair oils and a variety of other products. Tert-butylhydroquinone – antioxidant Tetrahydrocannabinol- flavor enhancer, potent anti-carcinogen – Thaumatin – flavor enhancer, artificial sweetener Theine – Thermally oxidised soya bean oil – emulsifier Thiabendazole – preservative Thiamine (Vitamin B1) – Thiodipropionic acid – antioxidant Thujaplicins – preservatives registered in Japan Thyme – used as a flavor, particularly as seasoning for meat products. stannous chloride – color retention agent, antioxidant Titanium dioxide – color (white) Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – Tocopherol concentrate (natural) – antioxidant Tragacanth – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier Triacetin – humectant Triammonium citrate – food acid Triethyl citrate – thickener, vegetable gum Trimethylxanthine – Triphosphates – mineral salt, emulsifier Trisodium phosphate – mineral salt, antioxidant Turmeric – color (yellow and orange)
V Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) – flavoring Vegetable carbon – color (brown and black) Vinegar – Violaxanthin – color Vitamin – Vitamin A (Retinol) – Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) – Vitamin B6 (Pyrodoxine) – Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) – Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) – Vitamin D (Calciferol) – Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – Vitamin K (Potassium) –
W Walnut oil – used for its flavor, also used by Renaissance painters in oil paints Wasabi – Water – Wattleseed – thickener
X Xanthan gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer Xylitol – humectant, stabiliser
Y Yellow 2G – color (yellow and orange) Yucca extract – foaming agent, stabilizer
Z Zeaxanthin – color Zinc acetate – flavor enhancer
See also Food Chemicals Codex List of additives in cigarettes List of food additives, Codex Alimentarius List of unrefined sweeteners List of phytochemicals in food
References
External links Food Additive Status List | FDA Australian Food Additive Codes