List of food additives

Updated on Oct 03, 2024

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vinegar, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, and lactic acid.

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A
B
C
D
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F
G
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I
J
K
L
M
N
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References

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 and diarrhea.

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.

0–9

1,4-heptonolactone – food acid *

2-hydroxybiphenyl – preservative

A

Abietic acid –

Acacia vera –

Acacia –

Acesulfame potassium – artificial sweetener

Acesulfame –

Acetic acid – acidity regulator

Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids – emulsifier

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

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 – preservative

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)

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. [1]

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

Erythorbin acid – antioxidant

Erythrosine – color (red) (FDA: FD&C Red #3)

Erythritol – sweetener

Ethanol (alcohol) –

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

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 – used as an edible oil, and in soap production.[2]

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. [3]

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. [4]

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

Nutmeg –

O

Octyl gallate – antioxidant

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. [5]

Orcein – color (red)

Orchil – color (red)

Oregano (Origanum vulgare, O. heracleoticum, and other species) –

Oregano oil – contains thymol and carvacrol – making it a useful fungicide. Also used to treat digestive problems

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. [6]

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. [7]

Pistachio oil – strongly flavored oil, particularly for use in salads. [8]

Prune kernel oil – marketed as a gourmet cooking oil [9]

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

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

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 –

Szechuan pepper (Xanthoxylum piperitum) –

T

Talc – anti-caking agent

Tamarind –

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)

Camellia oil/Tea 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

Thyme –

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

sodium phosphates – Mineral Salt

Turmeric – color (yellow and orange)

V

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia) –

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 –

X

Xanthan gum – thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer

Xylitol – humectant, stabiliser

Y

Yellow 2G – color (yellow and orange)

Yucca extract –

Z

Zeaxanthin – color

Zinc acetate – flavor enhancer

References

List of food additives Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

0–9

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

X

Y

Z

References