FOOD ADDITIVES

Food additives are chemicals which are added to food during processing. A manufacturer cannot simply add any chemical to food he can only add chemicals which are approved by the European Union for use in food

Chemicals which have been given an E-Number are approved additives.

 

Advantages of Food Additives

• Food additives Improve the look, colour and texture of food
• Food additives increase the shelf life of food
• Food additives help prevent food poisining

Disadvantages of food additives

• Food additives sometimes destroy vitamins in food
• Food additives may be used to make bad quality food look good
• Many people are allergic to particular food additives

Types of Food additive

Colours: Used to make food look nicer E numbers E100 - E199

Example Tartazine E102

 

Preservatives: Used to increase the shelf life of food E numbers E200 - E299

Example Sorbic acid E200 or Benzoic acid E210

 

Antioxidants: Used to stop fats and oils breaking down (oxidising) E numbers E300 - E399

Example E330 Citric Acid

 

Sweeteners: Used to give food a sweet taste. They are often used as sugar substitutes

Eg saccharin E954

 

Flavourings: Used to give foods a particular flavour or to enhance an already present flavour.

 

Note food ingredient labels should start with the principal ingredient and work down to the least ingredient

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