diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 289f7b9..6249083 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -819,21 +819,24 @@ minetest.register_abm({
 --
 
 local mod_tt_base = minetest.get_modpath("tt_base")
+
 local function add_eatable(item, hp)
 
 	local def = minetest.registered_items[item]
 
 	if def then
 
-		local grps = def.groups or {}
+		local groups = table.copy(def.groups) or {}
+		local txt = " (" ; if hp > 0 then txt = txt .. "+" end
+		txt = txt .. hp .. " HP)"
 
-		grps.eatable = hp ; grps.flammable = 2
+		groups.eatable = hp ; groups.flammable = 2
 
 		if mod_tt_base == nil then
-			def.description = def.description .. " (+" .. hp .. " HP)"
+			def.description = def.description .. txt
 		end
 
-		minetest.override_item(item, {description = def.description, groups = grps})
+		minetest.override_item(item, {description = def.description, groups = groups})
 	end
 end