Ingredient

This article is about ingredients in general. For the documentary film, see Ingredients (film). For other uses, see The Main Ingredient (disambiguation).

Ingredients for short rib soup

In a general sense, an ingredient is a substance which forms part of a mixture. In cooking, recipes specify which ingredients are used to prepare a dish, and the term may also refer to a specific food item in relation to its use in different recipes. Many commercial products contain secret ingredients purported to make them better than competing products. In the pharmaceutical industry, an active ingredient is the ingredient in a formulation which invokes biological activity.

The ingredient list on a can of marrowfat peas. Besides peas, the product also contains water, salt, and the antioxidant E385.

National laws usually require prepared food products to display a list of ingredients and specifically require that certain additives be listed. In the European Union, food labeling regulations also mandate that allergens such as nuts, milk, and gluten be clearly emphasized within the ingredient list to protect consumers. ^[1]

Etymology

The word ingredient entered English in the early 15th century, originally also appearing as engredient, meaning "something forming part of a mixture." It derives from Middle French ingrédient, which in turn comes from Latin ingredien(t)-, the present participle of ingredī ("to go in, enter"). The Latin verb is formed from in- ("in, into") and gradī ("to step, go"), linked to the Proto-Indo-European root *\*ghredh-* ("to walk, go"). ^{[2] [3]}

Artificial ingredient

An artificial ingredient usually refers to an ingredient which is artificial or human-made, such as:

• Artificial flavour
• Food additive
• Food colouring
• Preservative
• Sugar substitute, artificial sweetener

See also

• Food portal

• Fake food
• Bill of materials
• Software Bill of Materials
• Active ingredient
• Secret ingredient

References

1. "Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers". Official Journal of the European Union. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
2. "Ingredient". Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
3. "Ingredient". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 9 December 2025.