What are food additives?

Food additives are non nutritional substances that can improve the appearance, flavor, organizational structure, or storage properties of food. At present, there are 23 categories and nearly 2000 types of food additives in China. So what are the food additives?

1. Preservatives

Preservatives are a type of food additive that can inhibit microbial activity and prevent food spoilage. Commonly used include sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sulfur dioxide, lactic acid, etc.

2. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that prevent the adverse effects of oxygen, similar to preservatives, and can extend the shelf life of food. Dibutyl hydroxytoluene BHT and tert butyl hydroquinone TBHQ are used in edible oils and fried foods, while isoascorbic acid is often used in cured meat products.

3. Colorants

Colorants are substances used to color food, which can increase appetite and stimulate appetite. They can be classified into two categories based on their source: chemically synthesized pigments and natural pigments. Common synthetic pigments include carmine, amaranth, lemon yellow, indigo, etc.

4. Defoamer

There are mainly emulsified silicone oil, ether based defoamers, and dimethyl polysiloxane, which are widely used as defoamers in food processing such as soybean products, sugar making, fermentation, and brewing.

5. Nutritional fortifiers

Nutritional fortifiers can enhance and supplement certain nutritional components of food, such as minerals and trace elements. Various infant and toddler formulas contain various nutritional fortifiers.

6. Leavening agent

Adding leavening agents to some candies and chocolates can promote the production of carbon dioxide in the sugar body, thereby achieving a leavening effect. Sodium bicarbonate and ammonium bicarbonate can turn dough into porous sponge like tissue, which is soft, delicious, chewy, and easy to digest.

7. Sweetener

Sweeteners can impart sweetness to food or feed, improve food quality, and meet people's food needs as food additives. Commonly used artificially synthesized sweeteners include saccharin sodium, sodium cyclamate, etc., with the aim of increasing the sweetness.

8. Sourness agent

Some beverages, candies, etc. often use acid flavoring agents to regulate and improve the aroma effect. Commonly used include citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, etc.

9. Bleach

Sulfur dioxide, sodium pyrosulfite, sodium sulfite, sulfur, etc. The reduction effect of sulfur dioxide can disrupt the enzymatic oxidation system, achieving the purpose of preservation. Sulfite can maintain a light yellow or golden color in preserved fruits and preserves.

10. Basic agent in gum based candies

Gum based sugar base agent is a substance used in gum production, which is made by compounding rubber, resin, wax, and other substances. Bubble gum and chewing gum are commonly used.

The above is an introduction to food additives, among which acidity regulators, anti caking agents, defoamers, antioxidants, bleaching agents, bulking agents, etc. are common food additives.