Quick answer: Store-brand seasonings are built to be cheap and shelf-stable, so many lean on salt as the first ingredient and add things like MSG, anti-caking agents, maltodextrin or "natural flavors." Perry Spices blends are made with all-natural ingredients, with no MSG, no preservatives and no fake fillers, and every blend is gluten free. One Shaker. Complete Flavor. 1 shaker replaces 2 to 3 shakers.
Side by side: what you usually find
| Typical store-brand blend | Perry Spices | |
|---|---|---|
| First ingredient | Often salt | Varies by blend. Honey Chipotle Charm starts with honey |
| MSG | Sometimes, or hidden under other names | Never |
| Anti-caking agents | Often synthetic, like silicon dioxide | Only natural rice hulls, in one blend (Sassy Sriracha Maple) |
| Fillers (maltodextrin, starches) | Common in cheaper blends | No added fillers |
| Preservatives | Sometimes | None |
| Gluten free | Depends on the brand | Every blend |
| Price | $2 to $5 | $12.99 per shaker, or 4 for $42 with free shipping |
Not every store brand has all of these. That's the point: you have to read the label to know.
How to read a seasoning label in 30 seconds
- Look at the first ingredient. Ingredients are listed by weight. If salt comes first, you're mostly paying for salt.
- Scan for fillers. Maltodextrin, corn starch, rice flour and "spice extractives" bulk up a blend without adding much flavor. More on this in What Are Fillers in Seasoning?
- Check for MSG and its cousins. MSG can also show up as monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed protein or yeast extract. See MSG-Free Seasoning: What Does That Actually Mean?
- Check the anti-caking agent. Synthetic ones like silicon dioxide and calcium silicate keep powder loose on a shelf for years. Natural options exist too: we use rice hulls in Sassy Sriracha Maple.
- Be wary of "natural flavors." It's a legal catch-all, and it doesn't tell you what's actually in there.
Watch: what's hiding in your spice cabinet
See what to look for the next time you flip a jar over and read the label:
Want the full breakdown? Read Harmful Spice Ingredients in Your Cabinet.
A real Perry Spices label
Here's everything in Honey Chipotle Charm, our best seller: honey, salt, onion, paprika, chipotle, rosemary, basil, sage and marjoram. That's the whole list. Every ingredient is there for flavor.
Same idea with Daily Drip, our everyday salt, pepper, garlic, onion and herb blend: no MSG, no fillers, no preservatives.
So is the store brand ever fine?
Sure. Single spices like plain black pepper or cinnamon are often just that one ingredient, and a cheap jar works. The difference shows up in blends, where it's easy to stretch the recipe with salt and fillers. If you want to mix your own, we break that down in Individual Spices vs. Seasoning Blends.
Why the price is different
When salt and fillers aren't doing the heavy lifting, real ingredients cost more. And because the flavor is stronger, a little goes further. We get into the numbers in Why Does Perry Spices Cost $12.99? and Are Expensive Seasonings Actually Worth It?
FAQ
Do Perry Spices seasonings have MSG?
No. Every Perry Spices blend is MSG free.
Are Perry Spices blends gluten free?
Yes, every blend is gluten free.
Do Perry Spices use anti-caking agents or fillers?
We don't add fillers or preservatives. One blend, Sassy Sriracha Maple, uses rice hulls, a natural anti-caking agent, to keep it from clumping.
What's the best way to try Perry Spices?
The Flavor Starter Pack: 4 of our most popular blends (Honey Chipotle Charm, Sassy Sriracha Maple, Chicken Kick and Backyard BBQ) for $42 with free shipping, plus a free flavor mini while supplies last.
We aren't your typical food seasoning company. One Shaker. Complete Flavor. Read the label on ours anytime. It's short on purpose.