Ingredients for food
(Revised: 12/15/2021)
PCC Community Markets uses the following list of ingredients as a guideline for evaluating new and existing foods sold in our stores. You can find the guidelines for health and body care here.
Our Quality Standards Committee meets regularly to consider product issues and concerns and to review specific ingredients.
New items with ingredients that are high-risk for being genetically engineered (GE) must be organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or verified non-GE through other acceptable third-party certifications. If a company cannot provide confirmation, PCC will not carry the product.
| Ingredients | Function | Status |
|---|---|---|
| acacia gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| acesulfame-K (acesulfame-potassium) | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| acetic acid | acidulant, flavoring agent | acceptable |
| acetylated esters of mono- and diglycerides | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| Advantame | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| aerosol sprays with chlorofluorocarbon | propellant | not acceptable |
| alfalfa (leaf, stems, seeds, and derivatives listed separately) | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| alfalfa meal | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| algal flour | vegan protein source | not acceptable |
| algal oil | vegan source of omega fatty acids and nutrients | acceptable if non-GE/biotech and not produced through solvent/hexane extraction |
| algin | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| allulose | sweetener, flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| alpha tocopherol | antioxidant | acceptable |
| alpha tocopherol acetate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| ammonium bicarbonate | leavening agent | acceptable |
| ammonium chloride | dough conditioner | not acceptable |
| ammonium phosphate & ammonium polyphosphate | leavening agent, dough strengthener | not acceptable |
| annatto | coloring agent | acceptable |
| Apples, Arctic GE | not acceptable | |
| Arabic gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| artificial colors (red #3, red #40, yellow #5, yellow #6, blue #1, blue #2, green #3) | coloring agent | not acceptable |
| artificial flavors | flavoring agent | not acceptable |
| ascorbates | antioxidant | acceptable |
| ascorbic acid | antioxidant | acceptable |
| ascorbyl palmitate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| aspartame | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| astaxanthin (artificial) | coloring agent | not acceptable |
| astaxanthin (natural) 1 | coloring agent | acceptable |
| autolyzed yeast extract 2 | flavor enhancer | acceptable |
| azodicarbonamide | dough conditioner | not acceptable |
| baking powder | leavening agent | acceptable |
| benzoates | preservative | not acceptable |
| benzophenone | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| benzoyl peroxide | bleaching agent for flour | not acceptable |
| beta-carotene | antioxidant, coloring agent | acceptable |
| BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| bleached flour | artificially aged flour | not acceptable |
| bromated flour | artificially aged and treated flour | not acceptable |
| brominated vegetable oil (BVO) | flavor carrier | not acceptable |
| BST (bovine somatotropin) | genetically engineered growth hormone used to increase milk production in cows | not acceptable |
| butane glycol | humectant, flavor solvent | not acceptable |
| butylene glycol | humectant, flavor solvent | not acceptable |
| calcium bromate | dough conditioner, maturing/bleaching agent | not acceptable |
| calcium carbonate | alkali | acceptable |
| calcium caseinate | texturizer | acceptable |
| calcium chloride | firming agent | acceptable |
| calcium citrate | alkali | acceptable |
| calcium disodium EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant, preservative | not acceptable |
| calcium lactate | stabilizer, texturizer, buffering agent | acceptable |
| calcium peroxide | dough conditioner, bleaching agent | not acceptable |
| calcium phosphate | dough conditioner, firming agent | acceptable |
| calcium propionate | preservative, antimycotic agent | not acceptable |
| calcium saccharin | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| calcium sorbate | preservative | not acceptable |
| calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate | dough conditioner, emulsifier | not acceptable |
| calcium sulfate | firming agent, dough conditioner | acceptable |
| canola oil | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| canthaxanthin | coloring agent | not acceptable |
| caprocaprylobehenin | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| caramel color | brown coloring agent | not acceptable unless organic |
| carmine (cochineal) | coloring agent, derived from insect | not acceptable |
| carnauba wax | anti-caking agent, excipient, glazing and polishing agent | acceptable |
| carob bean gum | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| carotene | coloring agent | acceptable |
| carrageenan | thickener, stabilizer | not acceptable, with rare exceptions |
| casein (milk protein) | texturizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| celery powder | natural antioxidant for curing meat, flavoring | acceptable |
| cellulose | stabilizer, thickener | acceptable |
| chlorine | disinfectant, bleaching agent in household products | acceptable |
| citric acid | acidulant, antioxidant | acceptable |
| cochineal (carmine) | coloring agent, derived from insect | not acceptable |
| confectioners’ sugar | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| corn (including dextrin and all other derivatives listed separately) | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| corn flour | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| corn meal | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| corn starch | thickener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| corn syrup | sweetener, thickener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| cottonseed oil | not acceptable | |
| cream of tartar | leavener, acidulant, thickening agent | acceptable |
| cyclamates | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| cysteine (l-cysteine) | additive for bread | not acceptable |
| DATEM (Diacetyl tartaric and fatty acid esters of mono- and diglycerides) | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| dextrin | thickener and adhesive | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| dextrose | sweetener | acceptable |
| diacetyl | artificial butter flavoring | not acceptable |
| di-calcium phosphate | dough conditioner, calcium source | acceptable |
| diglycerides | emulsifier | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| dimethicone | anti-foaming agent | not acceptable |
| dimethylpolysiloxane | anti-foaming agent | not acceptable |
| dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS) | emulsifier, stabilizer | not acceptable |
| dipotassium phosphate | emulsifier, buffer | acceptable |
| disodium calcium EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant | not acceptable |
| disodium dihydrogen EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant | not acceptable |
| disodium guanylate | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| disodium inosinate | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| disodium phosphate | protein stabilizer, buffer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| EDTA | antioxidant, sequestrant | not acceptable |
| egg albumin | whipping agent, emulsifier | acceptable |
| Equal | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| erythorbic acid | antioxidant | acceptable |
| erythritol (sugar alcohol) 3 | sweetener | acceptable, with exceptions |
| ethoxyquin | pesticide, often used as a preservative in livestock/animal feed | not acceptable |
| ethyl acrylate | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| ethyl vanillin | flavoring agent | not acceptable |
| ethylene oxide | fumigant, disinfecting agent | not acceptable |
| EverSweet | trade name for genetically engineered sweetener | not acceptable |
| ferrous gluconate | colorant for ripe olives | acceptable |
| food starch | thickening agent, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) | prebiotic, added fiber, sweetener, flavor enhancer | acceptable only as prebiotic function in foods |
| fructose | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| gelatin | gelling agent, animal based | acceptable |
| gellan gum | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| glucono delta-lactone | acidulant, leavening agent | acceptable |
| glycerin | humectant, flavor and color solvent | acceptable, preference for vegetable source certified organic or non-GE |
| GMP (disodium guanylate) | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| guar gum | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| hepta-esters of sucrose | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| hexa-esters of sucrose | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| high fructose corn syrup | sweetener | not acceptable |
| hydrogenated oil | liquid oils chemically treated to become solid fats: used to prolong shelf life, provide texture | not acceptable |
| hydrolyzed vegetable protein | flavor enhancer | acceptable |
| IMP (disodium inosinate) | flavor enhancer | not acceptable |
| invert sugar | sweetener | acceptable |
| Irish moss (chondrus crispus; carrageen) | thickener, stabilizer, nutritional fortifier | acceptable |
| irradiated foods | sterilized by high energy radiation | not acceptable |
| isolated soy protein | nutrient, filler, binder | acceptable |
| isomaltulose | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| karaya gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| lactic acid | acidulant | acceptable |
| lactose (milk sugar) | humectant, sweetener | acceptable |
| lactylated esters of mono- and diglycerides | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| lecithin | emulsifier | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| levulose (also known as fructose) | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| locust bean gum | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable |
| magnesium carbonate | alkali, anti-caking agent | acceptable |
| magnesium chloride | firming agent, color retention agent | acceptable |
| magnesium stearate | lubricant, binder, anti-caking | acceptable |
| malic acid | buffering agent, flavoring additive | acceptable |
| malt extract | flavoring agent, texturizer in meat | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| malt syrup | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| maltitol (sugar alcohol) 3 | sweetener | acceptable, with exceptions |
| maltodextrin | texturizer, flavor enhancer | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| maltose | sweetener | acceptable |
| mannitol (sugar alcohol) 3 | sweetener, texturizer | acceptable, with exceptions |
| methyl cellulose | emulsifier, thickener, gelling agent, anti-caking agent | acceptable, but less processed forms are preferred |
| methyl eugenol | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| methyl silicon | antifoaming, antisplattering agent | not acceptable |
| methylparaben | preservative | not acceptable |
| microcrystalline cellulose | filler, binder, stabilizer, anti-caking agent | not acceptable |
| microparticularized whey protein | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| miso | seasoning, flavor enhancer | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| modified food starch | thickener, stabilizer | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| Monk fruit (Luo han guo) | sweetener | acceptable |
| mono and di-glycerides | emulsifier | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| mono-calcium phosphate | leavening agent | acceptable |
| monosodium glutamate (MSG) 2 | flavor enhancer | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| myrcene | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| natamycin | mold inhibitor | not acceptable |
| neotame | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| nisin | preservative | not acceptable |
| nitrates/nitrites 4 | antioxidant for curing meat and color retention, flavor | not acceptable when a synthetic additive |
| NutraSweet | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| oleoresin paprika | seasoning, colorant | acceptable |
| Olestra | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| palm fruit oil | emulsifier, fat | acceptable |
| palm kernel oil | emulsifier, fat | acceptable |
| papain | tenderizer | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| papaya (whole or derivatives listed separately such as papain) | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl, etc.) | preservative | not acceptable |
| partially hydrogenated oil (source of trans fats) | liquid oils chemically treated to become solid fats: used to prolong shelf life, provide texture | not acceptable |
| pectin | gelling agent, stabilizer, thickener | acceptable |
| phosphoric acid | acidulant | acceptable |
| polydextrose | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| polylysine | antimicrobial | not acceptable |
| polysorbates (60, 80, etc.) | emulsifier | not acceptable |
| potassium acid tartrate | leavening agent, acidulant | acceptable |
| potassium benzoate | preservative | not acceptable |
| potassium bicarbonate | leavening agent, alkali | acceptable |
| potassium bisulfite (see also potassium metabisulfite & sulfites) | preservative | not acceptable in food, acceptable in non-organic wine and hard cider |
| potassium bromate | dough conditioner, flour maturing agent | not acceptable |
| potassium chloride | salt substitute | acceptable |
| potassium citrate | pH buffer, emulsifier, antioxidant, stabilizer | acceptable |
| potassium gluconate | buffering agent | acceptable |
| potassium metabisulfite (see also potassium bisulfite & sulfites) | preservative | not acceptable in food, acceptable in non-organic wine and hard cider |
| potassium sorbate | preservative | not acceptable |
| potato, White Russet (including derivatives listed separately) | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| propionates | preservative | not acceptable |
| propyl gallate | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| propylene glycol | humectant, flavor solvent | not acceptable |
| propylparaben | preservative | not acceptable |
| protein isolate | processed protein source | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| pulegone | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| pyridine | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| quinine | alkaloid in tonic water (and other acceptable FDA uses) | acceptable |
| rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) | genetically engineered growth hormone used to increase milk production in cows | not acceptable |
| Reb D 5 | genetically engineered artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| Reb M 5 | genetically engineered artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| saccharin | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| shoyu | liquid seasoning, similar to soy sauce | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| silicon dioxide | anti-caking agent | not acceptable |
| Simplesse | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| smoke flavoring (natural) | flavoring agent | acceptable |
| sodium acid pyrophosphate | leavening agent, buffer | acceptable |
| sodium alginate | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| sodium aluminum phosphate | leavening agent | not acceptable |
| sodium aluminum sulfate | leavening agent | not acceptable |
| sodium ascorbate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| sodium benzoates | preservative | not acceptable |
| sodium bicarbonate | leavening agent, buffering agent | acceptable |
| sodium bisulfite | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| sodium carbonate (soda ash) | acidity regulator, anti-caking agent | acceptable |
| Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose | stabilizer, thickener, emulsifier, and water retention agent | acceptable, but less processed forms are preferred |
| sodium caseinate (milk protein) | texturizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| sodium citrate | buffering agent, emulsifier | acceptable |
| sodium diacetate | preservative | not acceptable |
| sodium erythorbate | antioxidant | acceptable |
| sodium ferrocyanide | anticaking agent in salt and salt-based seasonings | not acceptable |
| sodium glutamate | flavor enhancer (see MSG) | not acceptable |
| sodium hydroxide | alkali | acceptable |
| sodium metabisulfite | preservative, antioxidant, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| sodium nitrate/nitrite | antioxidant, flavor, color retention agent | not acceptable |
| sodium phosphate | buffering agent, emulsifier, protein stabilizer | acceptable |
| sodium propionate | preservative, antimycotic agent | not acceptable |
| sodium pyrophosphate | emulsifier, texturizer, sequestrant | acceptable |
| sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate | dough conditioner, emulsifier, whipping agent | not acceptable |
| sodium sulfite | preservative, antioxidant | not acceptable |
| sodium tripolyphosphate 6 | binding agent | not acceptable |
| solvent extracted oils (as stand-alone ingredient) | cooking oils | not acceptable |
| sorbic acid | preservative, antimycotic agent | not acceptable |
| sorbitol (sugar alcohol) 3 | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| soy drinks | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| soy protein isolates | concentrated protein source | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| soy sauce | liquid seasoning | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| stevia (rebiana) | sweetener | acceptable |
| Stevia leaf extract | sweetener | acceptable |
| Steviol glycosides (same as EverSweet) 7 | genetically engineered artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| styrene | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| sucralose (Splenda) | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| sucroglycerides | preservative, emulsifier | not acceptable |
| sucrose polyester (olestra) | fat substitute | not acceptable |
| sugar from sugar beets (including derivatives, such as fructose, listed separately) | sweetener | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| sugar from sugar cane | sweetener | acceptable |
| sulfites (sulfur dioxide) (see also potassium bisulfite & potassium metabisulfite) 7 | preservative | not acceptable in food, acceptable in non-organic wine and hard cider |
| Sweet ‘n Low | artificial sweetener | not acceptable |
| tamari | liquid seasoning, fermented soy sauce | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| tartaric acid | acidulant | acceptable |
| TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) | antioxidant | not acceptable |
| tempeh | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| teriyaki marinades | seasoning | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| tetrasodium EDTA | antioxidant, preservative | not acceptable |
| texturized vegetable protein (TVP) | vegan meat substitute, often made from soy | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE |
| titanium dioxide 8 | whitening agent | not acceptable |
| tocopherols (vitamin E) | antioxidant | acceptable |
| tofu | acceptable if organic or verified non-GE | |
| tragacanth gum | emulsifier, stabilizer | acceptable |
| trans, trans 2,4 hexadienal | artificial flavoring | not acceptable |
| transglutaminase (TG) | protein binder and dough conditioner | not acceptable |
| trehalose | humectant, sweetener | not acceptable |
| tri-calcium phosphate | calcium source, anti-caking additive | acceptable |
| Truvia | sweetener | not acceptable |
| vanillin | flavoring agent | not acceptable |
| vegetable gums | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| xanthan gum | thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier | acceptable |
| xylitol (sugar alcohol) 3 | sweetener | acceptable, with exceptions |
- Astaxanthin in its natural form is the antioxidant that gives wild salmon its color.
- Both MSG and autolyzed yeast extract are used as flavor enhancers, and both contain the amino acid glutamate. Glutamate is one of 20 amino acids found widely in all foods at varying levels. Glutamate seems to cause reactions in people when it is isolated and in high concentrations. MSG is 100 percent glutamate that has been isolated and then bound to sodium to make a salt that can be added to foods. Autolyzed yeast extract contains a mix of free amino acids (including glutamate) but since it’s not 100 percent glutamate it does not cause reactions in most people who are sensitive to MSG, other than a few who are extremely sensitive.
- Sugar alcohols may upset digestion and PCC does not recommend them for children and pregnant or nursing women until more research is done. Sugar alcohols — including erythritol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol — are synthetic sweeteners and often are produced through bacterial fermentation of wood, corncobs or seaweed.
- Not acceptable when synthetic. Research shows that nitrites can form nitrosamines, molecules shown to cause cancer in lab animals, and that nitrates change to nitrites in the body. USDA regulates the amount of artificial nitrate/nitrite additives that can be used to minimize nitrosamine formation. Celery powder is a source of naturally occurring nitrates, although packaging claims will say “No nitrates or nitrites added.” Celery powder meets organic standards and is allowed at PCC.
- Cargill says its EverSweet, produced with genetic engineering and fermentation, will be labeled in the U.S. as steviol glycosides, or Reb M and Reb D.
- Sodium tripolyphosate is used to prevent “thaw drip” and as a binding agent to hold flaky fish products together. It’s common in scallops and shrimp. It is a suspected neurotoxin.
- Sulfites can be naturally occurring as a byproduct of fermentation in wine and wine products, such as vinegar. Added sulfites are not acceptable in foods, but may be allowed in non-organic wine and hard cider.
- Titanium dioxide often may be a product of nanotechnology, which the Food and Drug Administration has warned should not be assumed safe. Nanotechnology is unregulated and its products are not labeled.