When you pick up a packaged food at the store, do you ever wonder what’s really inside? Ingredient labels can be confusing, packed with unfamiliar terms and tiny print. Yet, understanding the difference between real ingredients and food additives is essential for anyone with the goal of clean eating and a healthier lifestyle. Here’s how to decode those labels, spot additives, and make empowered choices that are aligned with your values.

Understanding Ingredient Labels: What Are Food Additives?

Food additives are substances commonly added to foods to improve shelf life, taste, texture, color, or nutritional value. An additive is any substance added to food to enhance preservation, flavor, or processing efficiency. Some are harmless or even beneficial, like added vitamins. Others—especially artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives—can be controversial or linked to health concerns when consumed in excess. Food additives can be derived from natural sources such as plants, animals, or minerals, or they can be synthetically produced. Animal-derived ingredients are used in many food products, and the environmental impact of animal farming—including the type of feed given to animals—can influence sustainability.

Common types of food additives include:

• Preservatives (e.g., sodium nitrite, BHT) to extend shelf life

• Artificial colors (look for “Red 40,” “Yellow 5,” etc.)

• Sweeteners (such as aspartame, sucralose, and high-fructose corn syrup)

• Emulsifiers and thickeners (xanthan gum, carrageenan)

• Anti-caking agents and bulking agents

• Enzymes, which are natural proteins that accelerate biochemical reactions in food processing, such as baking, brewing, and cheese making

Some additives are produced using bacteria or other microorganisms, especially in fermentation and enzyme production. Enzymes are a type of additive and serve as an essential component in many food manufacturing processes. Minerals and proteins can also be used as additives to enhance nutrition or improve food texture. During processing, additives become an integral component of the final food product.

While some additives are “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the FDA, others are best consumed in moderation, especially if you have sensitivities, food allergies, or are aiming for a clean ingredient list.

Food additives must be approved by authorities such as JECFA before they can be used in food products. The safety of each food additive is assessed according to international standards, with regulatory bodies like JECFA and Codex Alimentarius establishing permissible levels to protect consumers and facilitate international trade. These safety assessments evaluate the risk to humans, including toxicological studies and acceptable daily intake levels. Regulations for food additives are established by individual countries and harmonized internationally, ensuring compliance with each country's legal framework. Only additives approved internationally can be used across different countries.

When considering natural versus artificial additives, the nature of the ingredient is important: natural additives are derived from real plant or animal sources, while artificial additives are chemically synthesized, often resulting in more processed products.

Types of Food Additives

Food additives are a diverse group of substances used in processed foods and packaged foods to improve everything from taste and texture to shelf life and appearance. These additives can be grouped into several main categories, each serving a specific purpose in the production of food products.

Flavor enhancers like monosodium glutamate (MSG) are added to boost the natural taste of foods, making products like snacks, soups, and sauces more appealing to consumers. Preservatives such as sodium benzoate are essential for extending the shelf life of packaged foods by protecting them from bacteria, mold, and spoilage, ensuring that products like baked goods, cereal, and sweets stay fresh longer.

Antioxidants including well-known vitamins like vitamin C and vitamin E, help prevent the oxidation of food, which can affect both the quality and safety of food products. By slowing down spoilage, antioxidants play a crucial role in maintaining the nutritional value and taste of foods. Coloring agents such as artificial food dyes are used to enhance the visual appeal of foods, making items like drinks, candies, and baked goods more attractive on store shelves.

Additives can be naturally occurring substances, like sugar and salt, or they can be synthetic ingredients developed specifically for food production. Many additives are derived from plants, animals, or minerals, and are found in a wide variety of foods from everyday staples like cereal and baked goods to sweet treats and drinks.

As processed foods have become more common in our diets, the use of food additives has increased. While these substances offer benefits such as improved flavor, longer shelf life, and better texture, some consumers are concerned about potential health risks, especially when additives are consumed at high levels or over long periods. In response, many brands are now developing safer products with fewer additives or using more natural ingredients, and some are even eliminating certain additives altogether to meet consumer demand for healthier and more sustainable options.

Food labels and labelling regulations, especially those implemented by the European Union, play a vital role in helping consumers make informed choices. By providing clear information about the ingredients and additives present in food products, labels empower customers to select foods that align with their health goals and values.

Ultimately, the use of food additives is a complex issue that requires balancing the benefits of improved food quality and safety with the potential risks to human health and the environment. By choosing safer products, supporting sustainable food production, and paying attention to labels, consumers can help shape a healthier and more responsible food system for everyone.

How to Spot Real Ingredients vs. Additives

Real ingredients are typically simple, familiar, and minimally processed. Examples include:

• Whole grains (brown rice, oats)

• Legumes (chickpeas, lentils)

• Fresh or dried herbs and spices

• Fruits and vegetables

• Even some packaged foods, which can be identified by apps like WISEcode

Food additives, on the other hand, often have chemical-sounding names or numbers. If you see a long list of unpronounceable ingredients, it’s a sign the product is highly processed.

The Problem with “Health-Washing”

Some brands use clever marketing to make processed foods appear healthier than they are, a tactic known as health-washing. For example, a label might boast about added vitamins, but if those nutrients are synthetic and the product is loaded with additives, what does it really contain? Don’t be swayed by buzzwords like “natural,” “organic,” or “fortified” without checking the actual ingredient list. These marketing tactics are specifically designed to influence your purchase decisions, even if the product isn't truly aligned with your values.

Clean Eating: What to Look For

Aim for products with:

• Short ingredient lists

• Ingredients you recognize and would use at home

• Minimal use of additives, especially artificial ones (some additives are used to enhance the smell of foods)

• Clear labeling of allergens and potential irritants

Pay attention to salt and vinegar on ingredient labels, as these are often used for flavor and preservation. Preservatives are also used to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as yeast. Look for wholesome ingredients like nuts, which are nutritious and easy to recognize. Be cautious with processed foods such as chips, sweets, and processed meats like bacon, as they often contain additives and should be checked carefully either with your eyes or through a food scanner. The process of food manufacturing can affect the nutritional quality of these products.

If you see color additives (words like “blue,” “yellow,” “red”), artificial sweeteners, or preservatives you don’t recognize, consider choosing an alternative.

Trying simple recipes with whole ingredients can make clean eating easier and more enjoyable. Whole ingredients deliver essential nutrients without added sugars. Clean eating encourages you to eat more whole foods and fewer processed foods, supporting the health of your body. Eating more fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.

Make It Easy: Use a Food Scanner

Reading every label can be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially when shopping for your family. That’s where technology steps in. WISEcode is a free mobile app that lets you scan any packaged food and instantly see a breakdown of its ingredients, including hidden additives and processing levels.

Food labels are printed on different materials, such as waterproof vinyl or paper, and choosing the right materials is important for durability and presentation. Some label materials are specifically designed to withstand being exposed to moisture or outdoor conditions, ensuring the information remains clear and intact. Effective packaging and labeling not only help protect food but also communicate important information to consumers.

The app empowers customers to make informed choices by decoding labelling on a wide range of products. You can scan items like baked goods and drinks to check for hidden additives. WISEcode also helps you spot additives used to keep foods fresh while they are stored.

Know what’s in your food and download WISEcode today. Because your life and family deserve it.