Added

"Added" is a descriptor used on food labels to indicate ingredients that have been intentionally included in a food product, rather than being naturally present. It highlights that certain components, such as sugars, colors, preservatives, or other functional ingredients, were incorporated during processing.

The term "added" serves to inform consumers about the presence of ingredients that enhance flavor, appearance, texture, or shelf life, but are not naturally part of the food. These can include sweeteners, colors, preservatives, or other functional ingredients found in products like cakes, cookies, processed meats, or seafood.

The term "added" itself does not have direct health implications. However, the specific ingredients that are "added" can have health considerations. For example, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars, and at most 10 grams of added sugars per meal. For "added colors," some synthetic dyes are undergoing regulatory changes; for example, the FDA announced a plan in April 2025 to phase out petroleum-based synthetic dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Citrus Red 2, Orange B).