Ever wondered why a grocery store spice blend can be sold so cheap?

🚨 Why Are Some Spices So Cheap?

We get this question a lot—and the short answer? Fillers. The long answer? Let’s dig into it.

We were shocked when we learned just how many spice blends—and even supposedly “single ingredient” ground spices—are diluted with additives, dyes, anti-caking agents, and even non-food substances. That $1 bottle of seasoning? It may be cheap, but it comes with hidden costs.

💸 The Real Reason for Fillers

Why would a company add fillers? Simple: profit. Whole, unadulterated, organic spices are expensive. Now imagine combining several of them into a fresh blend—it adds up quickly. So to cut costs and increase margins, many large companies bulk up their products with:

• MSG

• Flours and starches (corn, soy, wheat)

• Anti-caking agents

• Salt as a cheap filler

• Seeds or plants that mimic the original spice

• Artificial dyes

• In some international cases… even sawdust 😳

🌈 Dyes & Deception

Freshly ground spices are bright, aromatic, and rich in color—but they fade over time. To keep older products looking fresh, many companies add dyes, some of which are toxic or banned in certain countries. Worse? These dyes often cover up not just age, but also the fillers.

While some dyes are illegal in the U.S., many imported spices still contain them. Enforcement is sparse, and global supply chains make it hard to track. Even a trace of some banned food dyes is considered genotoxic and carcinogenic.

⚠️ “Natural Flavor” Isn’t What You Think

Have you ever seen natural flavors or natural colors on an ingredient list and thought it sounded safe? The FDA considers these "incidental additives"—they don’t require full disclosure. In reality, these can include:

• MSG by-products

• Excitotoxins (which trick the brain and may lead to overeating and food addiction)

• Dozens of unnamed chemicals—all under one label

As long as the source is a “plant, animal, or microorganism,” it qualifies. That doesn't mean it’s healthy.

🌿 What We Do Instead

At Southern Sol, across all our blends, we:

• Fresh grind whole, organic herbs and spices

• Use no MSG, anti-caking agents, fillers, or dyes

• Avoid all natural or artificial flavorings

• Source from trusted farms and U.S. partners

• Balance flavor with simple ingredients like Himalayan sea salt, organic raw cane sugar, fair trade coffee, and raw cacao—and that’s it.

We believe you deserve food that is clean, vibrant, and honest.

So go ahead—check your spice cabinet. If your seasonings list “flavors,” “colors,” or a dozen things you don’t recognize, it may be time to toss them.