What are food additives?

In life, food additives are always around us, accompanied by all kinds of voices. However, we know very little about them.

Food additives are artificial or natural substances added to food to improve food quality and meet the needs of preservation, freshness-keeping and processing technology. Food flavors, base substances in gum-based candies, processing aids for the food industry and nutritional enhancers are also included.

Principles for the use of food additives:

1) They should not cause any health hazards to the human body.

2) They should not cover up food spoilage.

3) They should not cover up quality defects in the food itself or in the processing process, nor should food additives be used for adulteration, counterfeiting or other improper purposes.

4) They should not reduce the nutritional value of the food itself.

5) While achieving the expected effect, the amount used in food should be reduced as much as possible.

When to use food additives:

1) To maintain or improve the nutritional value of the food itself.

2) As a necessary ingredient or component of some special dietary foods.

3) To improve the quality and stability of food and enhance its sensory characteristics.

4) To facilitate the production, processing, packaging, transportation or storage of food.