Minor ingredients and processing agents
(Revised: 1/31/2013)
PCC Natural Markets uses the following list of ingredients as a guideline for approving new products and for reviewing current ones that may have been reformulated.
For questions, please e-mail:
Criteria definitions
- acceptable — generally considered safe (excluding allergies/sensitivities that individuals may have)
- not acceptable — may be harmul to health and/or is a relatively unnecessary additive creating a lower quality food
- under review — PCC Quality Standards Team is evaluating the status of this item
| Ingredients | Function | Status |
|---|---|---|
| acacia gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| acesulfame-K (acesulfame-potassium) | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| acetic acid | acidulant, flavoring agent | acceptable |
| acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| aerosol sprays with chloroflurocarbon | propellant | not acceptable |
| algin | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| alpha tocopherol | antioxidant | acceptable |
| alpha tocopherol acetate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| ammonium bicarbonate | leavening agent | acceptable |
| ammonium chloride | dough conditioner | not acceptable |
| ammonium lauryl sulfate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| ammonium phosphate | leavening agent, dough strengthener | acceptable |
| amodimethicone | conditioner in body care | not acceptable |
| annatto | coloring agent | acceptable |
| Arabic gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| artificial colors (red #3, red # 40, yellow #5, yellow #6, blue #1, blue #2, green #3) | coloring agent | not acceptable |
| artificial flavors | flavoring agent | not acceptable |
| ascorbates | antioxidant | acceptable |
| ascorbic acid | antioxidant | acceptable |
| ascorbyl palmitate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| aspartame | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| astaxanthin (artificial) 1 | coloring agent | not acceptable |
| astaxanthin (natural) 1 | coloring agent | acceptable |
| azodicarbonamide | dough conditioner | not acceptable |
| baking powder | leavening agent | acceptable |
| behentrimonium methosulfate | conditioner in body care | not acceptable |
| benzoates | preservative in liquid supplements | acceptable |
| benzoates | preservative in foods | not acceptable |
| benzoyl peroxide | bleaching agent for flour | not acceptable |
| beta-carotene | antioxidant, coloring agent | acceptable |
| BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| bleached flour | artificially aged flour | not acceptable |
| bromated flour | artificially aged and treated flour | not acceptable |
| brominated vegetable oil (BVO) | flavor carrier | not acceptable |
| BST (bovine somatotropin) | genetically modified growth hormone used to increase milk production in cows | not acceptable |
| butane glycol | humectant, flavor solvent | not acceptable |
| butylene glycol | humectant, flavor solvent | not acceptable |
| calcium bromate | dough conditioner, maturing/bleaching agent | not acceptable |
| calcium carbonate | alkali | acceptable |
| calcium caseinate | texturizer | acceptable |
| calcium chloride | firming agent | acceptable |
| calcium citrate | alkali | acceptable |
| calcium disodium EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant, preservative | not acceptable |
| calcium lactate | stabilizer, texturizer, buffering agent | acceptable |
| calcium peroxide | dough conditioner, bleaching agent | not acceptable |
| calcium phosphate | dough conditioner, firming agent | acceptable |
| calcium propionate | preservative, antimycotic agent | not acceptable |
| calcium saccharin | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| calcium sorbate | preservative | not acceptable |
| calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate | dough conditioner, emulsifier | not acceptable |
| calcium sulfate | firming agent, dough conditioner | acceptable |
| canthaxanthine | coloring agent | not acceptable |
| caprocaprylobehenin | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| caramel color | coloring agent | under review |
| carbomer | emulsifying agent in body care | not acceptable |
| carmine (cochineal) | coloring agent, derived from insect | not acceptable |
| carnauba wax | anti-caking agent, excipient, glazing and polishing agent | acceptable |
| carob bean gum | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| carotene | coloring agent | acceptable |
| carrageenan | stabilizer, thickener | acceptable |
| casein (milk protein) | texturizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| cellulose | stabilizer, thickener | acceptable |
| ceteareth-20 | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| cetrimonium chloride | topical antiseptic in body care | not acceptable |
| chlorine | disinfectant, bleaching agent in household products | acceptable |
| citric acid | acidulant, antioxidant | acceptable |
| cochineal (carmine) | coloring agent, derived from insect | not acceptable |
| coco DEA (Cocomide DEA) | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| cocoamidopropyl betaine | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| corn starch | thickener | acceptable |
| corn syrup | sweetener, thickener | acceptable |
| cream of tartar | leavener, acidulant, thickening agent | acceptable |
| cyclamates | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| cyclopentasiloxane | emollient in body care | not acceptable |
| cysteine (l-cysteine) | additive for bread | not acceptable |
| DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono and diglycerides) | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| dextrose | sweetener | acceptable |
| diacetyl | artificial butter flavoring | not acceptable |
| diazolidinyl urea | preservative in body care | not acceptable |
| dicalcium phosphate | texturizer, dough conditioner | acceptable |
| diglycerides | emulsifier | acceptable |
| dimethicone | anti-foaming agent in body care | not acceptable |
| dimethylpolysiloxane | anti-foaming agent | not acceptable |
| dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) | emulsifier, stabilizer | not acceptable |
| dipotassium phosphate | emulsifier, buffer | acceptable |
| disodium calcium EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant | not acceptable |
| disodium cocoamphodiacetate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| disodium dihydrogen EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant | not acceptable |
| disodium guanylate | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| disodium inosinate | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| disodium phosphate | protein stabilizer, buffer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| dl-alpha tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E) | antioxidant vitamin, often used in supplements | not acceptable |
| EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant | not acceptable |
| egg albumin | whipping agent, emulsifier | acceptable |
| Equal | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| erythorbic acid | antioxidant | acceptable |
| erythritol (sugar alcohol) | sweetener | acceptable |
| ethoxyquin | pesticide, often used as a preservative in livestock/animal feed | not acceptable |
| ethyl vanillin | flavoring agent | not acceptable |
| ethylene oxide | fumigant, disinfecting agent | not acceptable |
| ethylhexylglycerin | preservative, deodorant in body care | not acceptable |
| ferrous gluconate | colorant for ripe olives | acceptable |
| fructose | sweetener | acceptable |
| gelatin | gelling agent, animal based | acceptable |
| glucono delta-lactone | acidulant, leavening agent | acceptable |
| glycereth-7 cocoate | humectant in body care | not acceptable |
| glycerin | humectant, flavor and color solvent | acceptable |
| GMP (disodium guanylate) | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| guar gum | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| hepta-esters of sucrose | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| hexa-esters of sucrose | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| high fructose corn syrup | sweetener | not acceptable |
| hydrogenated oil | liquid oils chemically treated to become solid fats: used to prolong shelf-life, provide texture | not acceptable |
| hydrolyzed vegetable protein | flavor enhancer | acceptable |
| IMP (disodium inosinate) | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| invert sugar | sweetener | acceptable |
| irradiated foods | sterilized by high energy radiation | not acceptable |
| isoceteth 20 | emulsifier, surfactant in body care | not acceptable |
| isolated soy protein | nutrient, filler, binder | acceptable |
| isopropyl palmitate | emollient in body care | not acceptable |
| karaya gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| lactic acid | acidulant | acceptable |
| lactose (milk sugar) | humectant, sweetener | acceptable |
| lactylated esters of mono and diglycerides | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| lauramide MEA | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| lauryl DEA (lauramide DEA) | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| lecithin | emulsifier | acceptable |
| levulose (also known as fructose) | sweetener | acceptable |
| locust bean gum | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| magnesium carbonate | alkali, anti-caking agent | acceptable |
| magnesium chloride | firming agent, color retention agent | acceptable |
| magnesium stearate | lubricant, binder, anti-caking | acceptable |
| malic acid | buffering agent, flavoring additive | acceptable |
| malitol (sugar alcohol) | sweetener | acceptable |
| malt extract | flavoring agent, texturizer in meat | acceptable |
| maltodextrin | texturizer, flavor enhancer | acceptable |
| maltose | sweetener | acceptable |
| mannitol (sugar alcohol) | sweetener, texturizer | acceptable |
| methoxycinnamate | sunscreen in body care | not acceptable |
| methyl silicon | antifoaming, antisplattering agent | not acceptable |
| methylparaben | preservative | not acceptable |
| microcrystalline cellulose | filler, binder, stabilizer, anti-caking agent | acceptable |
| microparticularized whey protein | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| modified food starch | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| mono and triglycerides | emulsifier | acceptable |
| monosodium glutamate (MSG) 2 | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| natamyacin | mold inhibitor | acceptable on cheese rinds and sausage casings |
| neotame | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| nitrates/nitrites | antioxidant, flavor, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| NutraSweet | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| olefin sulfonate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| oleoresin paprika | seasoning, colorant | acceptable |
| Olestra | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| oleyl betaine | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| palm fruit oil | emulsifier, fat | acceptable |
| palm kernel oil | emulsifier, fat | under review |
| papain | tenderizer | acceptable |
| parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, etc.) | preservative in body care | not acceptable |
| partially hydrogenated oil (source of trans fats) | liquid oils chemically treated to become solid fats: used to prolong shelf-life, provide texture | not acceptable |
| pectin | gelling agent, stabilizer, thickener | acceptable |
| PEG-150 distearate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| PEG-7 glyceryl cocoate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| phosphoric acid | acidulant | acceptable |
| polydextrose | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| polyquaternium 10 | disinfectant in body care | not acceptable |
| polysorbate 60, 65, or 80 | emulsifier | acceptable |
| potassium acid tartrate | leavening agent, acidulant | acceptable |
| potassium benzoate | preservative | not acceptable |
| potassium benzoate | preservative in liquid supplements | acceptable |
| potassium bicarbonate | leavening agent, alkali | acceptable |
| potassium bisulfite (see also potassium metabisulfite & sulfites) | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| potassium bromate | dough conditioner, flour maturing agent | not acceptable |
| potassium chloride | salt substitute | acceptable |
| potassium gluconate | buffering agent | acceptable |
| potassium metabisulfite (see also potassium bisulfite & sulfites) | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| potassium sorbate | preservative in liquid supplements | acceptable for supplements |
| propionates | preservative | not acceptable |
| propyl gallate | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| propylene glycol | humectant, flavor solvent | not acceptable |
| propylparaben | preservative | not acceptable |
| quinine | alkaloid in tonic water (and other acceptable FDA uses) | acceptable |
| rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) | genetically modified growth hormone used to increase milk production in cows | not acceptable |
| saccharin | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| silicon dioxide | anti-caking agent | acceptable |
| Simplesse | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| smoke flavoring (natural) | flavoring agent | acceptable |
| sodium acid pyrophosphate | leavening agent, buffer | acceptable |
| sodium aluminum phosphate | leavening agent | not acceptable |
| sodium aluminum sulfate | leavening agent | not acceptable |
| sodium ascorbate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| sodium benzoate | preservative in liquid supplements and non food items | acceptable |
| sodium bicarbonate | leavening agent, buffering agent | acceptable |
| sodium bisulfite | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| sodium caseinate (milk protein) | texturizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| sodium citrate | buffering agent, emulsifier | acceptable |
| sodium cocoyl sarcosinate | conditioner in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium diacetate | preservative | not acceptable |
| sodium erythorbate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| sodium glutamate | flavor enhancer (see MSG) | not acceptable |
| sodium hydroxide | alkali | acceptable |
| sodium hydroxymethylglycinate | preservative in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium laureth sulfate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium lauroyl sarcosinate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium lauryl carboxylate | foaming agent in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium lauryl sulfate | surfactant, detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium lauryl sulfoacetate | surfactant, detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium metabisulfite | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| sodium myreth sulfate | surfactant/detergent in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium nitrate/nitrite | antioxidant, flavor, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| sodium PCA (Na PCA) pyrrolidone carbonic acid | conditioner in body care | not acceptable |
| sodium phosphate | buffering agent, emulsifier, protein stabilizer | acceptable |
| sodium propionate | preservative, antimycotic agent | not acceptable |
| sodium pyrophosphate | emulsifier, texturizer, sequesterant | acceptable |
| sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate | dough conditioner, emulsifier, whipping agent | not acceptable |
| sodium sulfite | preservative, antioxidant | not acceptable |
| sodium tripolyphosate 3 | binding agent | not acceptable |
| solvent extracted oils (as stand alone ingredient) | cooking oils | not acceptable |
| sorbic acid | preservative, antimycotic agent | not acceptable |
| sorbitol (sugar alcohol) | sweetener | acceptable |
| soy protein isolates | protein source | acceptable |
| soyamidopropalkonium chloride | antistatic agent in body care | not acceptable |
| stearamidopropyl dimethyl amine | conditioner in body care | not acceptable |
| stevia (rebiana) | sweetener | acceptable |
| sucralose (splenda) | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| sucroglycerides | preservative, emulsifier | not acceptable |
| sucrose polyester (olestra) | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| sulfites (sulfur dioxide) (see also potassium bisulfite & potassium metabisulfite) | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | acceptable in non-organic wine and hard cider |
| Sweet-n-Low | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| talc | gliadant, additive in body care | not acceptable |
| tartaric acid | acidulant | acceptable |
| TBHQ (tertiary butyl hydroquinone) | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| tetrasodium EDTA | antioxidant, preservative | not acceptable |
| texturized vegetable protein (TVP) | vegan meat substitute, often made from soy | acceptable |
| titanium dioxide | coloring agent | under review |
| tocopherols (vitamin E) | antioxidant | acceptable (if not synthetic) |
| tragacanth gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| triclosan | synthetic antibacterial | not acceptable |
| truvia | sweetener | acceptable |
| vanillin | flavoring agent | not acceptable |
| vegetable gums | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| xanthan gum | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| xylitol (sugar alcohol) | sweetener | acceptable |
- Astaxanthin in its natural form is the antioxidant that gives wild salmon its color.
- Both MSG and autolyzed yeast extract are used as flavor enhancers, and both contain the amino acid glutamate. Glutamate is one of 20 amino acids found widely in all foods at varying levels. Glutamate seems to cause reactions in people when it is isolated and in high concentrations.
MSG is 100 percent glutamate that has been isolated and then bound to sodium to make a salt that can be added to foods.
Autolyzed yeast extract contains a mix of free amino acids (including glutamate) but since it's not 100 percent glutamate it does not cause reactions in most people who are sensitive to MSG, other than a few who are extremely sensitive. - Sodium tripolyphosate is used to prevent "thaw drip" and as a binding agent to hold flaky fish products together. It's common in scallops and shrimp. It is a suspected neurotoxin.
- Sulfites can be naturally occurring as a byproduct of fermentation in wine and wine products, such as vinegar. Added sulfites may be allowed in non-organic wine and hard cider.