Ingredient index

A naturally occurring acid used for tartness and as a mild preservative.

A cheap, versatile vegetable oil high in saturated fat, with major deforestation concerns.

A natural emulsifier from soybeans that keeps chocolate and spreads smooth.

A plant-based fibre thickener from guar beans, common in ice cream and gluten-free foods.

A cheap liquid sweetener made from corn starch, linked to obesity and metabolic disease when over-consumed.

A common preservative that stops mould and bacteria in acidic drinks and sauces.

A highly processed starch powder used as a filler and thickener — spikes blood sugar fast.

A widely used, well-tolerated preservative that inhibits mould and yeast.

A seaweed-derived thickener used in plant milks, ice cream and processed meats.

A flavour enhancer that adds savoury 'umami' taste to snacks, soups and processed foods.

An intense artificial sweetener roughly 200x sweeter than sugar, found in diet sodas and sugar-free foods.

A zero-calorie artificial sweetener around 600x sweeter than sugar, stable enough to bake with.

A whitening pigment used in sweets, gum and icing — now banned as a food additive in the EU.

A calorie-free artificial sweetener, usually blended with other sweeteners in diet products.

A common red synthetic dye used in sweets, drinks and cereals, tied to hyperactivity concerns.

A synthetic antioxidant preservative that stops fats going rancid — flagged as a possible carcinogen.

A synthetic antioxidant preservative similar to BHA, used to keep fats fresh.

The world's most-used food colouring, giving colas and sauces their brown hue.

A red colour made from crushed cochineal insects — natural, but an allergen and not vegan.

A curing preservative in bacon, ham and hot dogs that gives processed meat its pink colour.

A bright yellow synthetic dye linked to hyperactivity in some children.

A fermentation-derived thickener that is well tolerated and common in gluten-free baking.