Alpha-Gal Safe Seasonings: What to Look For (and What to Avoid)

Living with alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) changes how you read food labels. Ingredients that once felt harmless — like “natural flavors” or “smoke flavor” — suddenly matter. One of the most common questions people ask is: What seasonings are actually alpha-gal safe? The good news is that many seasonings can be safe — if you know what to look for.

What makes a alpha-gal safe seasoning?

Alpha-gal reactions are triggered by the alpha-gal carbohydrate, which is found in mammalian meat, fat, and certain animal-derived ingredients. Pure spices and herbs are naturally plant-based and do not contain alpha-gal. Problems arise when seasonings include hidden animal-derived additives, not from the spices themselves.

Alpha-gal safe seasonings typically contain all natural ingredients without chemicals or additives including:

• Spices and herbs (pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, cumin, etc.)

• Smoked spices made from wood-smoked peppers (like smoked paprika or chipotle)

• Plant-based sweeteners such as cane sugar, brown sugar, or molasses

• Rice concentrate or similar plant-based anti-caking agents

Ingredients to watch out for

Many grocery-store blends include additives that can create risk for people with AGS, such as:

• Beef, pork, or meat extracts

• Animal fats like tallow or lard

• Gelatin or dairy powders

• Vague terms like “natural flavors” or “smoke flavor,” which don’t disclose sourcing

These ingredients aren’t always obvious — which is why label transparency matters.

Why Shake to Elevate seasonings are alpha-gal safe

Shake to Elevate (S2E) seasonings are made using plant-based ingredients only — real spices, herbs, and natural components with no mammalian meat, dairy, gelatin, or animal fats. Smoked flavors come from actual smoked peppers, not added smoke flavoring.  Which makes S2E a alpha-gal safe seasoning!

For people looking for alpha-gal safe seasoning options, S2E offers clean, straightforward blends you can use with confidence — without second-guessing what’s hiding behind the label.

As always, individual sensitivity varies, but from an ingredient and formulation standpoint, S2E is designed to be alpha-gal friendly.