Dehydrated Peppers

What it is

Peppers (Capsicum spp. — bell peppers, sweet peppers, and/or chili peppers) that have been dried by hot-air or freeze drying to reduce moisture, then typically diced, flaked, or ground for use as a shelf-stable seasoning ingredient.

Provides pepper flavor, color, and texture in dry mixes and ready meals without the moisture, weight, and refrigeration needs of fresh peppers.

Why it's flagged

• chili-pepper varieties can cause oral and GI irritation in sensitive individuals
• dehydrated produce is occasionally subject to recall for Salmonella contamination if not properly processed

What regulators actually say

Regulatory status