Multiple factors contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis, including diet. Although correlations exist between the introduction of processed foods and a rise in IBD prevalence, it is not understood what components of processed foods drive disease pathogenesis or how. Despite a FDA classification of Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS), food additives significantly impact microbe communities and phenotypes. We hypothesized that common food additives, such as maltodextrin (MDX) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), alter intestinal microbes and increase the onset and progression of IBD.