Ingredient facts for kids
An ingredient is simply something that goes into a mixture. Think of it like building blocks! When you bake a cake, flour, sugar, and eggs are all ingredients. In cooking, recipes tell you exactly which ingredients to use to make a certain dish.
Many products you buy, like a special soda or a unique candy, might have a "secret ingredient." This is something the company says makes their product taste better or different from others. In medicines, an "active ingredient" is the part that actually makes you feel better or helps with a health problem.
Why Ingredient Lists Matter
In most countries, laws say that packaged foods must show a list of all their ingredients. This helps you know exactly what you are eating. It also makes sure that certain additives (things added for flavor, color, or to keep food fresh) are clearly listed.
These laws usually require ingredients to be listed by how much they weigh in the product. The ingredient that weighs the most is listed first, and so on. If an ingredient itself is made of many things (like chocolate chips in ice cream), then the chocolate chips are listed, and their own ingredients are shown in brackets next to them. This way, you can see everything that's in your food!
What are Artificial Ingredients?
An artificial ingredient is something that is made by people, not found naturally. These are often created in labs to give food a certain taste, color, or to help it last longer.
Some common types of artificial ingredients include:
- Artificial flavors: These make food taste like something, but they aren't from the natural source. For example, "strawberry flavor" might not come from actual strawberries.
- Food additives: These are substances added to food to improve its flavor, color, texture, or to keep it from spoiling.
- Food colorings: These are used to give food a specific color, making it look more appealing.
- Preservatives: These are added to food to keep it fresh for a longer time and stop it from going bad.
- Artificial sweeteners: These are used instead of sugar to make food taste sweet, but they often have fewer calories.
Images for kids
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The ingredient list on a can of marrowfat peas. Besides peas, it also contains water, salt, and the antioxidant E385.
See also
In Spanish: Ingrediente para niños
