What is Clean Label?

Clean label ingredients refer to food components that are simple, natural, and easy to understand by consumers. The clean label movement is driven by growing consumer demand for transparency, health, and minimally processed foods. Here’s a breakdown of what clean label ingredients involve:

1. Simplicity and Recognizability

• Ingredients should be familiar and easily recognizable (e.g., “salt” instead of “sodium chloride”).

• Typically includes kitchen cupboard staples like vinegar, lemon juice, whole grains, and cane sugar.

2. Minimal Processing

• Clean label favours ingredients that are not overly refined or chemically modified.

• Avoids artificial preservatives, colours, sweeteners, and flavours.

3. Transparency

• Emphasis on clear, honest labeling with no hidden additives or ambiguous terms (like “natural flavours”).

4. Natural and Non-GMO

• Many clean label products avoid genetically modified organisms and synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

• Organic and sustainably sourced ingredients are often preferred.

5. Functional Substitutes

• Natural ingredients are used in place of artificial additives. Examples:

  • Beet juice for red coloring.

  • Tapioca starch or chia seeds as thickeners.

  • Rosemary extract or fermented celery powder as natural preservatives.

Here’s a list of clean label alternatives to common food additives, grouped by their function. These alternatives are often used in place of synthetic or highly processed ingredients to meet clean label standards:

1. Preservatives

2. Colours

3. Sweeteners

4. Emulsifiers & Stabilizers

5. Flavour Enhancers

6. Thickeners & Gelling Agents