Food Industry Glossary
Plain-language definitions for terms you'll see on spec sheets, COAs, and regulatory filings.
A
Achiote
Natural red-orange colorant from annatto seeds, used in pastor and Latin American cuisine. Provides color and mild earthy flavor.
Annatto (E160b)
Natural food coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree. Used as a clean label replacement for synthetic red and orange dyes.
B
BHA/BHT
Butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene. Synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives. Banned by Whole Foods and restricted by several clean-label programs.
Birria
Traditional Mexican stew made with a complex chile blend (guajillo, ancho, pasilla). Increasingly popular in US foodservice and supermarket prepared foods.
C
Carmine (E120)
Natural red pigment derived from cochineal insects. Used as a clean label alternative to synthetic red dyes. Allergen concerns for some consumers.
Carrageenan
Thickening agent extracted from red seaweed. Banned by Whole Foods and several clean-label programs due to consumer perception concerns.
Clean Label
Products made with simple, recognizable ingredients. No universal definition, but generally means no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Learn more →
D
Delaney Clause
US federal law prohibiting the approval of any food additive shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. Legal basis for the FDA's Red Dye No. 3 ban.
E
Erythrosine (FD&C Red No. 3)
Synthetic red food dye banned by the FDA in January 2025. Food manufacturers must reformulate by January 15, 2027. Read the full guide →
F
FDA Registration
US Food and Drug Administration facility registration required for all food manufacturing facilities that supply the US market. FISA Lab's manufacturing facility is FDA registered.
FSSC 22000
Global food safety certification scheme recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). Combines ISO 22000, sector-specific prerequisite programs, and additional FSSC requirements.
G
GFSI
Global Food Safety Initiative. Benchmarking organization that recognizes food safety certification schemes including FSSC 22000, SQF, and BRC.
M
Mesa Caliente
Hot food bar in grocery and retail chains offering prepared foods like birria, carnitas, and chicharrón. A key revenue driver for in-store carnicería programs.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
Packaging technique that replaces the air inside a package with a protective gas mixture to extend shelf life. Particularly important for cured meats and prepared foods.
P
Private Label
Products manufactured by one company but sold under another company's brand name. FISA Lab supports private label development for supermarket chains.
U
USMCA
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (replaced NAFTA). FISA Lab's products manufactured in Mexico qualify for 0% tariff on US imports under USMCA rules of origin.