What Is That Ingredient?

Have you ever picked up a product and looked on the back of the packaging to read the ingredients? Beyond calories and nutrition facts, the ingredient list often includes unfamiliar names that make it hard to know what you are really eating.

Understand the ingredients in your food

Our goal is to explain common (and not-so-common) food ingredients and additives in plain language. From simple ingredients like sugar and flour to complex names like niacinamide, agar, and pyrophosphate, we help you answer the question: What is that ingredient?

Explore the database

• Browse all researched ingredients
• See products and their ingredient lists
• Browse by brand

Get involved

Most of the research behind What Is That Ingredient has been done by the founders and a small group of contributors. If you are passionate about food transparency and want to help expand the database, you can sign up below.