Water
BasicOverview
Water in ultra-processed foods undergoes extensive treatment including reverse osmosis, deionization, and ozonation to achieve standardized mineral content and microbiological purity for industrial manufacturing. Unlike tap water used in home cooking, processing water is engineered to specific conductivity and pH parameters that optimize ingredient interactions.
699,029
Products contain this
31
Ingredient variations
Common forms
Pure water in various forms used as a base ingredient
Function
Processing water serves as a carrier for ingredients, reaction medium for chemical modifications, and standardization tool for achieving consistent product moisture content. Water activity (aw) manipulation through industrial processing enables shelf stability without traditional preservation methods.
Sources
Industrial water treatment involves multi-stage filtration, ion exchange, UV sterilization, and remineralization to create water meeting pharmaceutical-grade specifications. Manufacturing facilities maintain dedicated water treatment systems with continuous monitoring of over 90 quality parameters.
Health Considerations
While processing water meets safety standards, the removal of natural minerals and addition of processing aids can alter the nutritional profile compared to natural water sources. Industrial water treatment may introduce trace disinfection byproducts not present in traditional food preparation.
Regulatory
FDA regulations require processing water to meet EPA drinking water standards plus additional microbiological and chemical purity requirements specific to food manufacturing. Good Manufacturing Practices mandate validated water systems with regular testing and documentation.
Common Variations (31 total)
Products Containing Water
Showing 12 of 699,029 products, sorted by processing level