How to Read a Food Label for Hidden Onion & Garlic
Dehydrated onion, onion extract, natural flavours — every sneaky way onion and garlic hide on ingredient labels.
Label reading is the most important skill for anyone on a NONG diet.
The obvious ones (always avoid):
Onion / Pyaaz
Garlic / Lahsun
Onion powder / Garlic powder
The sneaky ones (watch out):
Dehydrated onion / dehydrated garlic
Onion extract / garlic extract
Onion extractive / garlic extractive
Allium cepa (scientific name for onion)
Allium sativum (scientific name for garlic)
The uncertain ones (need verification):
"Natural flavours" — can legally include allium extracts
"Spices" — a catch-all that can include onion/garlic
"Seasoning" — same issue
Safe certifications to look for:
Jain certification symbol
"Suitable for Jains" text
Products listed on verified NONG directories