Back

Food Additives

 
5.3  Food Addictives
 
Definition of Food Additives
A substance added to food to preserve or enhance the taste and appearance of the food.
 
The image is an infographic about food additives. It features a central icon of a lightbulb with a checkmark inside, symbolizing ideas or knowledge. Surrounding the lightbulb are five categories of food additives, each in a blue box with a number and description. The categories are: 1. Preservatives 2. Antioxidant 3. Flavouring 4. Stabiliser and thickening agent 5. Colouring Arrows connect the categories in a circular flow, indicating their relationship or cycle. The background is white, and the text is in blue. The Pandai logo is in the top left corner.
 
Food Additives Function Example
Preservatives Slow down or inhibit the food from being rot.
  • Sodium nitrite
  • Sodium benzoate
Antioxidant Slows down the oxidation by oxygen in the air.
  • Ascorbic acid
Flavouring Improve the taste or smell of the food.
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Aspartame
Stabiliser and thickening agent To give a smooth and uniform texture to the food.
  • Gelatine
  • Acacia gum
Colouring Replace the faded colour of food or colours the food to improve the appearance and taste of food.
  • Azo compound
  • Triphenyl compound
 
Justification for Using Food Additives
Why are Food Additives Used?
  • Seasonal crops and fruits can be enjoyed all year round.
  • Food stays fresh and lasts longer.
  • Taste better
  • Enhance appearance.
Bad Effects of Food Additives When Taken Excessively

The image is a diagram illustrating the bad effects of food additives when taken excessively. At the center, there is a blue circle with the text ‘Bad Effects of Food Additives When Taken Excessively.’ Four arrows point outward from the central circle to four smaller circles. The smaller circles contain the following text: ‘Allergies,’ ‘Cancer,’ ‘Nerve disorder,’ and ‘Asthma, rashes and hyperactivity in children.’ The background is white, and the diagram is simple and clear. The logo ‘Pandai’ is at the bottom center.
 
The Side Effect of Food Additives
Food Additive Side Effect due to Excessive Intake
Preservatives
  • Tiredness.
  • Skin itchiness.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • Food poisoning.
  • Cancer.
Antioxidant
  • Damage to liver, brain, and kidneys.
  • Hair loss.
Flavouring
  • Chest pains.
  • Nausea.
  • Dizziness.
  • Headaches.
  • Increase in heartbeat rate.
Colouring
  • Cancer.
  • Asthma.
  • Stunted development.
  • Skin diseases.
 

 

 

 

 

The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of Pandai.
Chapter : Consumers and Industrial Chemistry
Topic : Food Additives
Form 5 Chemistry
Related notes

Report this note
MY
EN