List of food additives

This is an alphabetical list of food additives. For related lists, see also: List of food additives, Codex Alimentarius and E number.


 * This article is incomplete. Please help by expanding it.

List of food additive types

 * Acidity regulators
 * Anti-caking agents
 * Anti-foaming agents
 * Food coloring
 * Color fixatives
 * Color retention agents
 * Emulsifiers
 * Firming agents
 * Flavor enhancer
 * Flour treatment agents
 * Food acids
 * Gelling agents
 * Glazing agents
 * Humectants
 * Improving agents
 * Mineral salts
 * Preservatives
 * Antioxidants
 * Propellants
 * Seasonings
 * Sequestrants
 * Stabilizers
 * Sweeteners
 * Artificial sweeteners
 * Thickeners
 * Vegetable gums

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 ferrocitrate - 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 peru -
 * 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 -
 * 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
 * False flax oil made of the seeds of Camelina sativa - available in Russia as ????????? ?????. Considered promising as a food or fuel oil.
 * 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
 * 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 -
 * 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 -
 * 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 -
 * carmines - color (red)
 * 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 -
 * Egg -
 * Egg yolk -
 * Eggwhite -
 * 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 - artificial 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

 * Fantesk -
 * Farnesol -
 * Fast green FCF - color (FDA: FD&C Green #3)
 * Fat -
 * Favoxanthin - 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 (not classified as an additive) - 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 esters 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 acacia - thickener, vegetable gum, stabilizer, emulsifier
 * Gum arabic - 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 -
 * 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.
 * 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
 * Legume -
 * 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
 * Mahlab -
 * Malabathrum -
 * Malic acid - acidity regulator
 * Malt extract -
 * Maltitol - humectant, stabiliser
 * Maltodextrin - carbohydrate sweetener
 * Maltol - flavor enhancer
 * Maltose -
 * Mandarin oil
 * 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.
 * 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
 * Mullien (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.
 * 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 quinquefolia -
 * Ponch phoran -
 * Pandan leaf -
 * Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) -
 * 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.
 * Purslane -
 * Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) -

Q

 * Quatre épices -
 * Quillaia extract - humectant
 * Quinoa oil - similar in composition and use to corn oil.
 * Quinoline yellow - 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 -
 * 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
 * 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 -

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

 * Za'atar -
 * Zeaxanthin - color
 * Zinc acetate - flavor enhancer