Who Should Use This Reference?

This book is for anyone who reads food labels — from shoppers in Canadian grocery stores to health care professionals like dietitians, nutritionists, and pharmacists. It’s also an excellent resource for students of nutrition, food science, or culinary arts. If you manage a health condition, follow a specific diet, or simply want to understand what’s in your food, this dictionary puts you in control. It translates those confusing chemical names into plain English, helping you make informed choices about the food you eat.

Key Features of This Edition

The 7th edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect new additives and regulatory changes. Each entry includes a clear definition, common uses, and safety information. The book covers preservatives, colourings, flavourings, emulsifiers, sweeteners, fortifying agents, and many other categories. With more than 12,000 ingredients listed, it offers extensive coverage of synthetic and natural substances alike. The descriptions are written in plain language, making them accessible to anyone without a scientific background. The book is organized alphabetically, so you can quickly look up any additive you encounter on a food label. It often includes details about the source (plant, animal, or synthetic), common applications, and potential health concerns or benefits.

How This Book Helps You Make Informed Choices

When you pick up a packaged food, the ingredient list can look like a foreign language. This dictionary decodes it. By learning what each additive does and its potential effects, you can decide which products align with your health goals. For example, you can read about common preservatives like sodium benzoate or citric acid, understand the role of emulsifiers like lecithin, or decode natural and artificial flavours. The book also helps identify ingredients that may be of concern for specific dietary needs, such as gluten sources, allergens, or animal-derived additives. It covers both harmful and desirable ingredients, giving you a balanced view so you’re not just scared by chemical names but can appreciate the science behind food preservation and enhancement.

What Is A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives?

This comprehensive reference book, now in its 7th edition, provides plain-English explanations of more than 12,000 ingredients commonly found in foods. It helps you decode complex chemical names on labels, distinguishing between harmful additives and those that are safe or even beneficial. Whether you are a health coach, a pharmacy professional, or simply someone who cares about what goes into your body, this dictionary is an indispensable tool for navigating the modern food landscape. With its clear, accessible format, it takes the mystery out of ingredient lists and empowers you to make better food choices every day.