According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, "Ice Cream" consists of a mixture of dairy ingredients such as milk and nonfat milk, and ingredients for sweetening and flavoring, such as fruits, nuts and chocolate chips. Functional ingredients, such as stabilizers and emulsifiers, are often included in the product to promote proper texture and enhance the eating experience. By federal law, ice cream must contain at least 10% milkfat, before the addition of bulky ingredients, and must weigh a minimum of 4.5 pounds to the gallon.

Each year, homemade ice cream causes serious outbreaks of infection from Salmonella. The ingredient responsible is raw or undercooked eggs. If you choose to make ice cream at home, use a pasteurized egg product, egg substitute, or pasteurized shell eggs in place of the raw eggs in your favorite recipe. There are also many egg-free ice cream recipes available.

Cook egg mixtures to 160 °F. Homemade ice cream and eggnog can be made safely from a cooked egg-milk mixture; heat gently and use a food thermometer. Dry meringue shells, divinity candy and 7-minute frosting are safe; avoid icing recipes using uncooked eggs or egg whites. Bake meringue-topped pies at 350 °F. Use pasteurized dried egg whites, whipped cream, or a whipped topping for chiffon pies and fruit whips. Cook egg dishes, such as quiche and casseroles, to 160 °F. In-shell pasteurized eggs and pasteurized egg substitutes may be used safely without cooking.

Added sugars are sugars and syrups that are added when foods or beverages are processed or prepared. This does not include naturally occurring sugars such as those in milk and fruits. Added sugars provide calories without providing additional nutrients. Specific examples of added sugars that can be listed as an ingredient on a product label include brown sugar, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, maltose, molasses, raw sugar, sucrose, and turbinado sugar. Common sources of added sugars include sugary drinks such as soft drinks, fruit drinks, energy drinks, and coffee and tea with added sugars. The other major source of added sugars is snacks and sweets, which includes grain-based desserts such as cakes, pies, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, sweet rolls, and pastries; dairy desserts such as ice cream, other frozen desserts, and puddings; candies; sugars; jams; syrups; and sweet toppings. Together, these food categories make up more than 75 percent of intake of all added sugars. For more information about added sugars, visit MyPlate.gov.