Can you have a secret ingredient?

Question

Like you know how the people have to print on the food every ingredient in the food..well how can you have a secret ingredient then?

Answer 1

Ummm, just a clarification. Recipes are not copyrightable.

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Answer 2

In a really good recipe, it's not just the ingredients but how you use them; combinations and techniques.

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Answer 3

usually someone will say they have a secret ingredient they use, just something they don't want to tell you so you can't copy it. or i hear alot of people say they have a secret ingredient, its cooked with love.

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Answer 4

You are talking about processed food that you buy. There probably isn't a secret ingredient, but maybe the amount of ingredients used could be a secret. Think about it - other companies can do DNA analysis on food to see what's in it.

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Answer 5

Well yes and no!

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Answer 6

Many times I notice the ingredients say "spices" but not exactly which ones or how much.

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Answer 7

They normally will not state the quantities, but if they are copyrighted recipes I think there is a confidentiality clause.

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Answer 8

To give you an actual answer to the actual question you asked: No - a manufacturer may not list "secret ingredient" on the ingredients panel.

Spices and flavors are a bit different. There are lists of items that fall in the spices and flavors category that may simply be listed as "spices" or "natural flavors" or "artificial flavors." But the must be below a certain minimum amount to be able to be listed like that. And not all spices may be labeled that way.

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