Ingredient glossary A–Z

Plain-language definitions of 298 ingredient names from food and cosmetic labels: hidden names for the 14 EU and 9 US major allergens, confusing food ingredients, animal-derived ingredients that matter for vegan, halal and kosher diets, and common cosmetic INCI names such as fragrance allergens, preservatives and cleansers. Each entry lists other names, what IngrediLens flags it for, and what to look for on the label.

E-number additives such as xanthan gum or citric acid link to the E-number guide. For checking a whole ingredient list at once, try the free ingredient checker.

Browse by allergen or concern

Gluten and cereals · Milk and dairy · Egg · Peanuts and tree nuts · Soy · Sesame, mustard, celery and lupin · Fish, crustaceans and molluscs · Sulphites · Animal-derived (vegan and vegetarian) · Halal, kosher and alcohol · Fragrance and essential oils · Cosmetic preservatives · Often flagged for sensitive skin

Gluten and cereals (28)

Milk and dairy (16)

Egg (6)

Peanuts and tree nuts (16)

Soy (11)

Sesame, mustard, celery and lupin (7)

Fish, crustaceans and molluscs (6)

Sulphites (2)

Animal-derived (vegan and vegetarian) (37)

Halal, kosher and alcohol (9)

Fragrance and essential oils (30)

Cosmetic preservatives (11)

Often flagged for sensitive skin (37)

All ingredients A–Z

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Label information, not medical advice. This page describes how an ingredient is named and labelled and how IngrediLens flags it; it cannot tell you whether a product is safe for you. Always read the label on the product itself and follow the advice of your doctor, allergist or dermatologist. If someone shows signs of anaphylaxis, use their adrenaline auto-injector if they have one and call emergency services.

Scan labels with IngrediLens

Point your iPhone camera at a food or cosmetic ingredient list and IngrediLens highlights the allergens and ingredients you chose to avoid, including other names like the ones on this page. Free to start, no account, and your data stays on your device.

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