Glossary

Added sugars are sugars added during processing, preparation, or packaging and are included within total sugars.

Aspartame is a high-intensity sweetener used to sweeten foods and drinks with much smaller amounts than table sugar.

Calcium is a mineral required on most U.S. Nutrition Facts labels and shown with percent Daily Value.

Carrageenan is a seaweed-derived ingredient commonly used to thicken, stabilize, or improve texture in foods and drinks.

Citric acid is an acid commonly used to add tartness, adjust acidity, or help preserve quality in packaged foods.

Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate listed under total carbohydrate on the Nutrition Facts label.

Enriched flour is refined flour with certain nutrients added back after processing.

Guar gum is a food gum commonly used to thicken, stabilize, or improve texture in foods.

High fructose corn syrup is a corn-derived sweetener used in many packaged foods and drinks.

Iron is a mineral required on most U.S. Nutrition Facts labels and shown with percent Daily Value.

Maltodextrin is a carbohydrate ingredient made from starch and commonly used for bulk, texture, or flavor distribution.

Modified food starch is starch that has been changed for food use, often to help texture, thickness, stability, or processing performance.

Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a flavor enhancer used to add savory umami flavor to foods.

Natural flavors are flavoring ingredients derived from plant or animal sources and used mainly to add or enhance flavor.

Niacin is a B vitamin that may appear on Nutrition Facts labels, especially when a food is enriched or fortified.

Potassium is a mineral required on most U.S. Nutrition Facts labels and shown with percent Daily Value.

Potassium sorbate is a preservative used to help slow mold, yeast, or spoilage in some foods and drinks.

Red 40 is a certified color additive used to give foods, drinks, and some other products a red color.

Riboflavin is a B vitamin that may appear on Nutrition Facts labels, especially when a food is enriched or fortified.

Serving size is the amount of food used as the basis for the nutrition numbers on a Nutrition Facts label.

Sodium is a nutrient listed in milligrams on the Nutrition Facts label and is often useful when comparing packaged foods.

Sodium benzoate is a preservative commonly used to help protect acidic foods and drinks from spoilage.

Sodium nitrite is a curing ingredient used in some meat and poultry products to help preserve quality and color.

Soy lecithin is an emulsifier made from soy that helps ingredients blend together or stay evenly mixed.

Sucralose is a high-intensity sweetener used to add sweetness to foods and drinks.

Total sugars include all sugars in a food, including naturally occurring sugars and added sugars.

Vitamin D is a nutrient required on most U.S. Nutrition Facts labels and helps the body absorb calcium.

Whole grain means the grain ingredient includes the bran, germ, and endosperm of the grain.

Xanthan gum is a food gum commonly used to thicken, stabilize, or improve texture in packaged foods.

Yellow 5 is a certified color additive used to give foods, drinks, and some other products a yellow color.