| Name | Other Names | Purpose | Source |
|
Saccharin |
E954, Benzoic sulfimide, “sugary” |
Heat stable, relatively inert sweetener used in carbonated soft drinks, candies and cookies. 300-400 times as sweet as sucrose(table sugar). |
Synthetic |
|
Safflower oil |
Flavorless & colorless oil used in salad dressings, margarines, cooking oil and various food products. Nutritionally similar to sunflower oil. |
Cold-pressed from safflower seeds, Plant cultivated globally with major cultivation in Russia, Mexico & Kazakhstan. |
|
|
Safflower |
“Bastard saffron" |
Flower used as a substitute for saffron, making herbal teas. |
Plant cultivated globally with major cultivation in Russia, Mexico & Kazakhstan. |
|
Saffron |
Metallic honey aroma and hay-like taste, adds yellow-orange color to foods. Used in making confectioneries & liquors, savory dishes, dry-cured meats. |
Grown in a belt extending from Spain to Kashmir and various places across the globe |
|
|
Saigon Cinnamon |
Vietnamese cinnamon, Vietnamese cassia |
Aromatic bark used in Vietnamese cuisine, broths, soups and noodles |
Produced primarily in Vietnam |
|
Salad burnet |
Garden burnet, sanguisorba minor, burnet |
Leaves used as ingredient in salads, dressings & sauces, similar to mint leaves. |
Plant native to Europe and most of North America |
|
Salt |
Sodium Chloride |
Provides one of the major flavor sensations in food, added to meats, vegetables, fruits, dairy, and canned foods. Acts as a preservative as well. Suppresses bitterness. Also used in condiments such as soy sauce and dippings. |
Synthesized or refined from mineral deposits. Top salt producers include China, USA, India, Germany, Canada & Australia. |
|
Sandalwood |
Sntalum |
Leaves & bark used as a flavoring and aromatic agent in jams, pies, sauces, and marinades. Nut substitute. Oil extracted adds flavor to ice-cream, baked goods, beverages, and alcoholic drinks. |
Various families of plants found globally. Commercially, the plant is grown mainly in Australia |
|
Savory |
Satureja |
Used to flavor foods, part of various cuisines, flavoring black tea. Aroma similar to rosemary & thyme. |
Plant native to North Africa, Europe, Middle East & Central Asia |
|
Scarlet GN |
E125, Ponceau SC, C.I. Food Red 1 |
Red food color Not permitted in the USA & EU |
Synthetic azo dye |
|
Sesame oil |
Cooking oil with nutty aroma and taste, popular in Asian cuisines. Used in stir-frying, saute, seasonings and sauces. |
Extracted using various methods from sesame seeds |
|
|
Sesame seed |
Used in various cuisines for its nutty flavor. Added to bread, buns, crackers, bagels, sushi, salads, baked snacks, marinades for meats, soups, snacks, wafers, brittles, pastes, candies and in making sesame seed oil. |
Plant roduced globally but primarily in Tanzania, Myanmar, India, Sudan & China |
|
|
Shellac |
Used with wax to preserve and shine citrus fruits and jelly beans |
Resin excreted by female lac bug on trees in Indian & Thai forests |
|
|
Silicon dioxide |
E551, quartz, silica, silicea sand |
Water absorber to prevent powder from caking, Added to spices, blends, mixes & non-dairy creamers. Used in wine, beer and juice as fining agent. |
Found within Earth’s surface, plants and animals. Obtained by mining or purifying quartz. |
|
Silver |
E174 |
Food coloring, used in very small amount as a decorative foil in Indian & Pakistani dishes, decorating cakes, cookies, and desserts |
Refined from silver ore from mines globally |
|
Siraitia grosvenorii |
Monk fruit, luo han guo |
Fruit extract 300 times sweeter than table sugar, as a low-calorie sweetener in drinks and foods. Fruit used to make herbal teas or soups. |
Mogrosides in fruits are responsible for the sweetness. They are extracted by solvent extraction. |
|
Sodium acetate |
E262, sodium ethanoate, Hot ice |
Used as a seasoning to impart a “salt & vinegar” taste in chips. |
Present in plants and animals. Synthesized, using acetic acid and sodium hydroxide. |
|
Sodium adipate |
E262, sodium ethanoate, Hot ice |
Used as a seasoning to impart a “salt & vinegar” taste in chips. |
Sodium salt of adipic acid. Adipic acid found in sugar cane and beets. |
|
Sodium alginate |
E401 |
Thickening and emulsifying agent. Rapidly absorb water and used for slimming products, soups, ice-cream, drinks, and jellies. |
Extracted from brown seaweed |
|
Sodium aluminium phosphate |
E541, aluminum sodium salt |
Acts as an acid in baking powders which serve as leavening agents in baked foods and releases carbon dioxide while baking, emulsifier in cheese |
Synthetic, sodium salt of aluminum phosphates |
|
Sodium aluminosilicate |
E301, Vitamin C |
Commonly used to fortify foods with Vitamin C, added to fruit juices and drinks |
Produced from various minerals |
|
Sodium ascorbate |
E554, aluminum sodium silicate |
Used as an anti-caking agent in dry products and powders |
Synthesized by dissolving ascorbic acid(found in citrus fruits) & sodium bicarbonate in water |
|
Sodium benzoate |
E211, benzoate of soda |
Food preservative added to salad dressings, carbonated beverages, jams, juices, pickles, condiments, and frogurt |
Synthesized from benzoic acid(found in fruits, berries & dairy) |
|
Sodium bicarbonate |
E500(ii), baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, sodium hydrogen carbonate |
Leavening agent in baking that reacts with an acid to produce carbon dioxide which creates expansion in baked goods, part of baking powder. Also used as a meat tenderizer, an ingredient in breading in fried foods, softening peas & beans while cooking. |
Synthesized or refining from mined ore |
|
Sodium bisulfite |
E222, sodium hydrogen sulfite |
A preservative in foods and beverages such as dairy, juices, onions and alcoholic drinks |
Synthetic |
|
Sodium carbonate |
E500(i), washing soda, soda ash, soda crystals |
Acidity regulator, anti-caking, stabilizing & raising agent. Provides ramen noodles flavor and texture, an ingredient in moon cakes, German pretzels & lye rolls. |
Synthesized, refined, produced by reacting sodium chloride and limestone. |
|
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose |
E466, carmellose, cellulose gum |
Thickener and stabilizer used to make ice creams without churning or low temperatures, reduced fat products, baked goods, emulsifier in chewing gum, peanut butter & margarines |
Derivative of cellulose, organic compound found in plant cells |
|
Sodium citrate |
E331, E331(i): Monosodium Citrate, E331(ii) Disodium citrate, E331(iii) Trisodium citrate |
Increases antioxidant activity in foods, acidity regulators & aroma compounds, increase gel strength, decrease browning in fruits & fruit products |
Increases antioxidant activity in foods, acidity regulators & aroma compounds, increase gel strength, decrease browning in fruits & fruit products |
|
Sodium dehydroacetate |
E266 |
Preservative for fruits, vegetables, fruit juice, honey, beer, milk, protein, and fat products, inhibits bacterial and fungal growth |
Synthetic |
|
Sodium erythorbate |
E316 |
Used in processed meats such as hot dogs and beef sticks to speed up curing and retaining pink color, an antioxidant that stabilizes flavor and inhibits nitrosamine production in meats. Also used in potato salads, baked foods, and drinks. |
Produced from sugars in beets, corn and sugar cane |
|
Sodium erythorbin |
E318 |
Antioxidant |
Synthetic |
|
Sodium ethyl para-hydroxbenzoate |
E214, Ethylparaben, Solbrol A |
Anti-fungal preservative |
Esters of benzoic acid, benzoates and benzoic acids are found in fruits, dairy, mushrooms and various foods |
|
Sodium ferrocyanide |
E535, Yellow prussiate of soda |
Anti-fungal preservative |
Synthetic, produced using hydrogen ferrocyanide and sodium hydroxide |
|
Sodium formate |
E237, sodium methanoate |
Buffering agent & preservative. Added to fruit juices, beverage, vegetables, and various food products. |
Synthesized using sodium hydroxide and carbon monoxide. Fumaric acid present in insect and venom. |
|
Sodium fumarate |
E365 |
Acidity regulator. Added to confectionery, baked goods, and baking powder. |
The sodium salt of fumaric acid. Fumaric acid present in insect and venom |
|
Sodium gluconate |
E576 |
Sequestrant that binds to metal. Serves as a nutrient for yeast. |
The sodium salt of gluconic acid. Gluconic acid is found in fruits, honey, and wine. |
|
Sodium hydrogen acetate |
E262(ii) |
Gives food a “salt & vinegar” flavor |
The sodium salt of acetic acid. Acetic acid is found in most fruits. Produced commercial by bacterial fermentation of sugar. |
|
Sodium hydroxide |
E524, Caustic soda, lye, white caustic, ascarite |
Washing and cleaning of fruits, vegetables, cocoa, caramel coloring, poultry, softening olives, crisping lye rolls, soft drinks, and thickening ice-cream. Lye water used in moon cakes, noodles, and making crusts shiny. |
Synthesized |
|
Sodium lactate |
E325, Sodium DL-lactate |
Acts as a preservative, bulking agent, and acidity regulator. Used in cheese, confectionery, ice-cream jellies, canned foods, and soups |
Produced by bacterial fermentation using cornstarch, potatoes, molasses, sugar, and tapioca |
|
Sodium malate |
E350, E350(i) monosodium malate, 350(ii) disodium malate |
Acidity regulator and flavoring agent with similar taste to table salt(sodium chloride). Soluble in water. |
The sodium salt of malic acid. Malic acid is found in fruits. |
|
Sodium metabisulfite |
E223, sodium pyrosulfite, sodium disulfite |
Used in preserving food and drinks such as onions, fruit juice, baked goods, and alcoholic beverages. A Bleaching agent in producing coconut cream. |
Synthesized using sodium hydroxide and sulfur dioxide |
|
Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate |
E223, sodium pyrosulfite, sodium disulfite |
A preservative against yeast and fungi |
Synthetic, sodium salt of methylparaben |
|
Sodium nitrate |
E251, Soda niter, Peru saltpeter |
Preservative and color enhancing agent used in meat and poultry. Highly soluble in water. |
Synthetic white powder |
|
Sodium nitrite |
E250 |
Gives pink and red shade to processed meats such as ham, bacon, hot dogs, and bologna. Prevents botulism and inhibits microbial growth in meat. Inhibits fat oxidation that leads to rancidity in meat. |
Present in vegetables such as cabbage, lettuce, spinach, parsley, and cauliflower |
|
Sodium orthophenyl phenol |
E232 |
Highly soluble in water and spayed on citrus fruits to protect against bacterial growth |
The sodium salt of phenyl phenol, synthesized |
|
Sodium propionate |
E281, napropion |
Food preservative that inhibits mold growth in baked goods |
Synthesized by reacting propionic acid and sodium carbonate |
|
Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate |
E217 |
Food preservative that inhibits bacterial growth, against yeast and fungi |
Found in several plants and insects, synthesized for commercial purposes |
|
Sodium sorbate |
E201 |
A food preservative that is effective against fungi and yeast at low pH. Used in fermented products, confectionery, salads, cheese, bread, cakes, baked goods, pizza, soups, wine, and drinks |
The sodium salt of sorbic acid. Sorbic acid initially found in unripe berries of the rowan tree. |
|
Sodium stearoyl lactylate |
E481 |
Emulsifier, softener and stabilizer used in a wide variety of baked goods, desserts, cereals, waffles, instant rice, icings, puddings, fillings, beverage mixes, creamers, snack dips, sauces, chewing gums, canned meats, and emulsions. |
Synthetic |
|
Sodium succinates |
E364, 364(i) monosodium succinate, 364(ii) disodium succinate |
Acidity regulator & flavor enhancer |
Sodium salts of succinic acid, found in living organisms, fruits and vegetables |
|
Sodium sulfite |
E221, Hypo clear |
A white powder that forms sulfurous acid in acidic conditions to act as a preservative. Oxidizing and bleaching agent. Prevents browning and used as a bread enhancer. |
Synthesized using sodium hydroxide and sulfur dioxide |
|
Sodium tartrates |
E335, Sal tartar, E335(i) monosodium tartrate, 335(ii) disodium tartrate |
An emulsifier and binding agent in jellies, sausages, and margarine |
Sodium salts of tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is found in many fruits and commercially produced from waste in wine production. |
|
Sodium tetraborate |
E285, borax decahydrate |
Used as a preservative Banned in the USA, China, Thailand, and various countries |
Found as a mineral deposit |
|
Sorbic acid |
E200, 2,4-hexadienoic acid |
Anti-microbial agents used as preservatives in foods that inhibit the growth of mold, yeast, and fungi |
First isolated from unripe berries of the rowan tree, synthesized commercially. |
|
Sorbitan monolaurate |
E493 |
Emulsifier and stabilizer, metabolized to sorbitol and lauric acid without any side effects |
Synthesized using sorbitol and lauric acid |
|
Sorbitan monooleate |
E494 |
Emulsifier and stabilizer, metabolized to sorbitol and lauric acid without any side effects |
Synthesized using sorbitol and lauric acid |
|
Sorbitan monopalmitate |
E495, Span 40 |
Emulsifier and stabilizer, metabolized to sorbitol and lauric acid with no side effects. Modifies the crystallization of fats. Insoluble in water. |
Synthesized using sorbitol and lauric acid |
|
Sorbitan monostearate |
E491 |
An emulsifier used to mix water and oil. It also serves as a wetting and dispersing agent. |
Synthetic wax made from sorbitan(a derivative of sorbitol) and stearic acid |
|
Sorbitan tristearate |
E491 |
Used as a dispersing, emulsifying, and stabilizing agent in foods and sprays. |
Synthesized using sorbitol and lauric acid |
|
Sorbitol |
E420, glucitol, D-sorbitol |
Sweet sugar alcohol used as a sweetener in various low sugar food products. |
Synthesized from glucose using reduction. Found in certain fruits such as apples, pears, prunes, and peaches. |
|
Sorrel |
Garden sorrel, common sorrel, spinach dock |
Leaves used in soups, sauces, stews, curries or salads. Flavor similar to kiwifruit or strawberries. |
Occurs in European grasslands, northern Mediterranean & Central Asia. Grown globally. |
|
Soybean |
Soya bean, soy |
Oil hydrogenated to make vegetable and cooking oil. Used to make soy milk, tofu, soy lecithin(emulsifier), infant formulas, meat and dairy alternatives, soy nut butter, coffee substitute, and soy sauce. Soybean flour used in baked goods, thickening sauces, and reducing oil absorption during frying. |
Produced globally with world leaders being the United States & Brazil |
|
Spearmint |
Garden mint, common mint, lamb mint, mackerel mint |
Spearmint leaves are used to make mint teas, mixed alcoholic drinks, and gum due to its pungent aroma. Spearmint oil is used to flavor confectionery and toothpaste. |
The plant is grown in nearly all temperate regions |
|
Star anise |
Badian, Chinese star anise |
It contains anethole which acts as a flavoring agent, substitute for anise, used in liquor and hot wine production, enhancing the flavor of the meat. Also used in ethnic cuisines and teas as a spice. |
Plant native to Vietman and southwest China |
|
Starch sodium octenylsuccinate |
E1450 |
Used rarely as a thickening agent, not absorbed by the gut, fermented by microbiota, hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes. |
Produced by modifying starch |
|
Stearic acid |
E570, octadecanoic acid, C18:0 |
Used in chewing gums, baked goods and helps impart a buttery flavor, texture, and aroma |
Commercially made from cottonseed oil, part of fats from plant and animal sources |
|
Stearyl palmityl tartrate |
E483, Stearyl tartrate |
Emulsifier and stabilizer used in baked goods Limited usage allowed. Banned in Australia |
Synthesized by esterification of tartaric acid(found in many fruits) with stearyl alcohol(hydrogenation of stearic acid or fat) |
|
Succinic acid |
E363, Butanedioic acid, Spirit of Amber |
Acidity regulator and flavoring agent, adds sourness to umami taste |
Present in living organisms, including fruits and vegetables. Synthesized commercially using various methods. |
|
Sucralose |
E955, Splenda |
Zero-calorie sweetener. 320-1000 times sweeter than sucrose(table sugar). Used to sweeten food and beverages such as candy, breakfast bars, soft drinks, canned fruits. Part of yellow-colored sweetener blends along with bulking agents(eg. maltodextrin). Unstable and granular at high heat. |
Synthesized by chlorination of sucrose |
|
Sucroglycerides |
E474 |
Esters of fats and sugars used in different products as emulsifiers and stabilizers in dairy drinks, ice-creams, yogurts, sorbets, fruity desserts, cocoa mixes, chewing gums, puddings, processed meats, egg custards, soups, broths, and sauces. |
Obtained by reacting sucrose(table sugar) and an edible oil or fat |
|
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate |
E444, sucrose acetate isobutyrate |
An emulsifying and thickening agent used in cocktail mixers, beer, malt drinks, and wine coolers |
Synthesized by esterification of sucrose with anhydride compounds |
|
Sugar |
Table sugar, granulated sugar, regular sugar |
Used in various foods and beverages, cooking and baking, creating sweet syrups, molasses and hard candy. Fermentation of fruit sugar used in winemaking. Used to create brown sugar by coating refined sugar with molasses. |
Present in most fruits and vegetables. Commercially produced using sugarcane and sugar beets. |
|
Sulfur dioxide |
E220, Sulfurous anhydride |
Used as a preservative against microbial contamination. Added to dried fruits. Stops wine from further fermentation. Bleaching of flour. Prevents discoloration of white wine and stabilizes Vitamin C. |
Synthesized. Produced also during wine and beer production |
|
Sulfuric acid |
E513, oil of vitriol |
Acidity regulator used in the production of cheese and beer production, sugar refineries, and water treatment. Breaks down proteins and carbohydrates to help create modified starch and whey proteins. |
Synthesized by using sulfur, oxygen, and water using the contact process or wet sulfuric acid process. Present as sulfide mineral form. |
|
Sumac |
Sumach, sumac, soumak, sumaq |
Fruits ground to red-purple powder to add tart and lemon taste to salads, meats, cuisines, garnish on hummus, spice blends, kebabs, and falafel. Also used to make sumac-ade(drink). |
Family of plants grown in subtropical and temperate regions in the world |
|
Sunflower oil |
Used in low to high temperature cooking(450F smoke point), an ingredient in salad dressings, making sunflower butter and frying snacks such as fries and chips |
Extracted from sunflower seeds |
|
|
Sunflower seeds |
Eaten as a snack, garnish on recipes such as salads, popular in various cuisines and added to baked goods and candies for a nutty flavor. Used to create sunflower butter. |
Fruit of sunflower seed. Commercially produced majorly in Ukraine and Russia. |
|
|
Sunset Yellow FCF |
E110, Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6 |
Yellow food color used in various food products. Banned in certain countries. Permitted in the USA & EU. |
Synthetic |
|
Sweet basil |
Genovese basil |
Used for flavoring agent in ethnic cuisines for flavoring soups, truffles, ice-creams, pesto, and various savory foods |
Plant native to central Africa and Southeast Asia |
|
Sweet woodruff |
Sweetscented bedstraw, wild baby’s breath, master of the woods |
Aromatic herb used to flavor May wine, fruit punch, German beer, brandy, jelly, jam, soft drink, ice-cream, sherbet powder, and herbal tea. |
Plant native to Europe and Russia naturalized in various parts of the world |
|
Szechuan pepper |
Sichuan pepper |
Spice used in Batak(Indonesia) and Sichuan(China) cuisines. Light lemon flavor with a tingly sensation. Combined with pepper to create “Mandarin” flavor. Added to dumplings, gravies, sauces, pastes, meat dishes, cakes and biscuits |
Pepper native to Sichuan province in China and various parts of central Asia. |
