Additivefree

Additivefree is a label or designation used to indicate that a product contains no added artificial chemical additives. The term is common in marketing for foods and beverages, but it can also appear on cosmetics and household products. Because there is no universal definition, what counts as an additive—and what constitutes "additive-free"—varies by country, industry, and regulatory guidance.

In many jurisdictions, including the United States and the European Union, food labeling rules require that ingredients be listed. Claims of being "additive-free" are subject to regulation and enforcement to avoid misleading consumers. Some authorities permit "additive-free" only if the product does not contain substances legally defined as additives; others distinguish between artificial additives and naturally occurring substances. In practice, products labeled as additive-free may still contain ingredients that serve as processing aids or that occur naturally and are not counted as additives, depending on local rules.

For consumers, additive-free can signal a product closer to what is perceived as natural or minimally processed. Critics note that such claims do not automatically imply higher nutritional value or safety, and that products labeled additive-free can still be high in sugar, salt, or fat or be less sustainable. The classification may also be used alongside other labels such as "organic" or "clean label," with varying degrees of overlap.

See also: Food additive, Clean label, Natural food, Organic certification, Ingredient labeling.