Food Additives

Food Additives

Definition

A substance added to food to preserve or enhance the taste and appearance of the food

Types and functions of food additives

Food additive	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

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