Reading ingredient statements on food packages provides you a list of ingredients in that food from most to least in the formula. So when you read the word “spice” or “spices” what does that mean?
According to the FDA Code of Federal Regulations, certain spices can be listed by their common or usual name or declared collectively without naming each spice. A spice is define as any aromatic vegetable substance in the whole, broken or ground form. Examples include allspice, basil, dill seed, black pepper and others. The exception is a substance traditionally used as a food, such as onions, garlic or celery. These cannot be included as a spice. Spices such as paprika, turmeric, and saffron are also colors and must be declared as “spice and coloring” or by their common name.
