Coated With A Mixture Of Ground Black Pepper And Sugar

This ingredient is a coating made from a mixture of ground black pepper and sugar. Black pepper is a spice derived from the dried berries of the Piper nigrum plant, while sugar is a common sweet crystalline carbohydrate, typically sucrose, obtained from sugarcane or sugar beets.

Manufacturers apply this mixture as a coating to add a distinctive flavor profile that combines pungency from pepper with sweetness from sugar. It is often used on savory products like frozen patties, burgers, bacon, and sausages to enhance taste and visual appeal.

Both ground black pepper and sugar are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. Black pepper is considered safe when consumed in typical food amounts. While sugar provides energy, the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars, and at most 10 grams of added sugars per meal, due to concerns about excessive intake. JECFA has evaluated both black pepper and sugar, and both are widely consumed food ingredients.