Spices Including Chili Pepper And Spice Extractives

Spices are natural substances derived from plants, including seeds, fruits, roots, bark, or vegetative parts. They are used to add flavor and aroma to food. Chili pepper is a dried fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, known for its heat. Spice extractives are concentrated forms of spices, often obtained using solvents.

Spices and their extracts are primarily used to enhance the flavor and aroma of foods. They can add heat, sweetness, pungency, or other taste profiles. They are found in a wide variety of processed foods, including snacks, seasonings, sauces, meats, and baked goods.

Spices and chili peppers are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as flavoring agents. Regulatory bodies like JECFA and EFSA have evaluated many spices and their components. While generally safe in typical food amounts, some individuals may experience digestive upset from very spicy foods. Research into the specific health effects of various spice compounds is ongoing.