How to read an ingredient label
Short answer. In the EU, an ingredient list starts with the largest ingredient by weight. Additives appear by name or E-number. Allergens are highlighted. Cosmetics use INCI names, and the order changes below 1 %.
Food labels
- Order. The list starts with the word "Ingredients" and runs from the largest to the smallest item by weight at the time of manufacture.
- Compound ingredients. A part such as "chocolate" or "sauce" lists its own ingredients in brackets.
- Additives. An additive appears with its function and its name or E-number. For example: "preservative (sodium nitrite)" or "preservative (E250)". See E-numbers explained.
- Allergens. Each of the 14 listed allergens must be highlighted in the list, for example in bold or capitals. See the 14 EU allergens.
- "May contain". This text is voluntary and has no fixed wording. See what "may contain" means.
Cosmetic labels
- INCI names. Cosmetics list ingredients with international INCI names, mostly in Latin or English. Examples: Aqua (water), Glycerin, Parfum (fragrance).
- Order. Ingredients above 1 % go in order of concentration. Ingredients below 1 % may go in any order. Colourants may also go last, as CI numbers.
- Fragrance. The word Parfum can hide a mixture. Since the EU list of fragrance allergens grew, many more must be named separately. See fragrance allergens.
Where labels make this hard
Small print, curved packs, glossy foil and low light make lists hard to read, and long lists mix names, E-numbers and brackets. A scanner such as IngrediScan reads the text for you and flags the entries that matter for your profile.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information to consumers
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products
Ingredient pages
The assessment is for information only. It does not replace the manufacturer's label or advice from a doctor or vet. Text recognition (OCR) can miss part of a label. No result does not mean the product is safe.