Chopped Onion

Chopped onion is a common culinary ingredient made from the bulb of the onion plant (Allium cepa). Onions are typically grown from seeds or sets and harvested when mature. They are then cleaned, chopped, and sometimes dried or processed further depending on the intended use.

Manufacturers add chopped onion to provide a savory, pungent flavor and aroma to a wide variety of foods. It is a foundational ingredient in many savory dishes, including soups, sauces, stews, and spice blends. It is also used in processed snacks and prepared meals to enhance taste.

Onion is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a food ingredient. It is a source of various nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. While generally considered healthy in typical dietary amounts, very high intakes of concentrated onion extracts have been studied for various health effects, but evidence is mixed and not conclusive for significant benefits or harms at normal consumption levels. International bodies like JECFA have evaluated onion derivatives, but no specific numeric limits are typically set for the whole food ingredient.