Onions

One ingredient name, several product forms

The Onions collection currently includes the ingredient Onion. That name alone does not specify whether a listing is fresh whole bulbs, frozen onion, dehydrated flakes, granules, or powder. These forms differ in handling and use: fresh or frozen onion suits applications that need recognizable pieces, while dried forms fit products designed around shelf-stable ingredients. Flakes can also be milled into powder; the finer form is not automatically interchangeable with flakes.

Match the specification to the form

For fresh bulbs, define the intended grade and physical acceptance criteria, including maturity, firmness, defects, and size where relevant. A processing grade for whole onions does not specify the quality of a dried product. For flakes, granules, or powder, request the lot specification for particle size, moisture, appearance, odor, packaging, and applicable safety or quality tests. The right checks depend on the product form and its role in your process.

For fresh onions intended for human food, include food-safety controls and traceability in supplier review. Handling and storage requirements also depend on whether the lot is fresh, frozen, or dried; do not assume one form's storage approach applies to another.

Treat animal use as a separate decision

Onion should not be treated as a routine feed or pet-food ingredient based on its food-grade or processing status. Onion and concentrated dried forms present animal-health concerns, with risks varying by species and context. Any proposed animal use requires species-specific professional assessment; the ingredient name alone does not establish a safe inclusion level.

Common questions.