University of Agricultural Sciences and

Veterinary Medicine Iai

Faculty of Animal Husbandry
Food additives

-20-
Food additives
Food additives are substances added to food to !reserve flavor or en"ance its taste and
a!!earance# Food additives are added to food or animal feed during !rocessing or storage# $"ey
include antio%idants& !reservatives& colouring and flavouring agents& and anti-infective agents#
Most food additives "ave little or no nutritional value# 'it" t"e advent of !rocessed foods in t"e
second "alf of t"e 20t" century& many more additives "ave been introduced& of bot" natural and
artificial origin#
$o regulate t"ese additives& and inform consumers& eac" additive is assigned a uni(ue
number& termed as )* numbers)& +"ic" are used in *uro!e for all a!!roved additives# $"is
numbering sc"eme "as no+ been ado!ted and e%tended by t"e ,ode% Alimentarius ,ommission
to internationally identify all additives& regardless of +"et"er t"ey are a!!roved for use#
* numbers are all !refi%ed by )*)& but countries outside *uro!e use only t"e number&
+"et"er t"e additive is a!!roved in *uro!e or not# For e%am!le& acetic acid is +ritten as *2-0 on
!roducts sold in *uro!e& but is sim!ly .no+n as additive 2-0 in some countries# Additive
0/& al.anet& is not a!!roved for use in *uro!e so does not "ave an * number& alt"oug" it is
a!!roved for use in Australia and 0e+ 1ealand# Additives aren2t a recent invention# Since 345&
Australia "as "ad an a!!roved system of labeling for additives in !ac.aged foods# *ac" food
additive "as to be named or numbered# $"e numbers are t"e same as in *uro!e& but +it"out t"e
!refi% 2*2#
$"e United States Food and 6rug Administration listed t"ese items as )7enerally
recogni8ed as safe) or 79AS: t"ey are listed under bot" t"eir ,"emical Abstract
Services number and Fu.da regulation under t"e US ,ode of Federal 9egulations#
For many years no+ t"ere "as been gro+ing unease over t"e !ossible e%cessive use of
food additives# More and more !eo!le are reading food labels and selecting t"ose foods edit t"e
s"ortest list of added c"emicals# Foods t"at are leig" in food additives tend to be t"e
2convenience2 or snac. ty!e and by avoiding suc" foods you reduce t"e number of additives you
consume#
Most !eo!le believe t"at c"emicals added to food - +"et"er t"ey !reserve& colour or
flavour t"e food - are c"emicals t"at "ave been manufactured in t"e laboratory& but often t"is is
not t"e case# Some additives originate in t"e laboratory& but ot"ers are e%tracted from !lants#
Ho+ever& t"e fact t"at an additive is !roduced from a natural food substance is no
guarantee t"at it is "ealt"y# 0ucleotides are an essential !art of t"e nucleus of every living cell&
t"e basis of t"e genetic material +"ic" is "anded on from generation to generation in
all living t"ings# $"ese nucleotides are e%tracted from organisms suc" as yeasts and used as
flavourings# ;eing a natural substance it could be regarded as safe# $"ere is& "o+ever& a t"eory
t"at vast (uantities of nucleotides& absorbed over a !eriod of many years& may be t"e cause of
urie acid .idney stones& gout and some cases of art"ritis#

Food additives serve five main functions<
# Maintain !roduct consistency
Substances called emulsifiers !rovide a consistent te%ture and !revent !roducts from
se!arating# Stabili8ers and t"ic.eners !rovide an even te%ture# Antica.ing agents allo+
substances to flo+ freely#
2# Im!rove or !reserve t"e nutrient value
Many foods and drin.s are fortified and enric"ed to im!rove t"e nutritional status of t"e
United States !o!ulation# For e%am!le& vitamins and minerals are added to many foods including
flour& cereal& margarine& and mil.# $"is "el!s to ma.e u! for vitamins or minerals t"at may be
lo+ or com!letely lac.ing in a !erson2s diet# All !roducts t"at contain added nutrients must be
labeled#
/# Maintain t"e +"olesomeness of foods
,ontamination from bacteria can allo+ foodborne illnesses to occur# =reservatives reduce
t"e s!oilage t"at air& fungi& bacteria& or yeast can cause# ,ertain !reservatives "el! !reserve t"e
flavor in ba.ed goods by !reventing t"e fats and oils from going bad# $"ey also .ee! fres" fruits
from turning bro+n +"en e%!osed to t"e air#
># ,ontrol t"e acidity and al.alinity and !rovide leavening
S!ecific additives "el! c"ange t"e acid-base balance of foods to obtain a desired taste&
color& or flavor# ?eavening agents t"at release acids +"en t"ey are "eated react +it" ba.ing soda
to "el! biscuits& ca.es& and ot"er ba.ed goods rise#
@# =rovide color and en"ance flavor
,ertain colors im!rove t"e a!!earance of foods# $"ere are many s!ices and natural and
synt"etic flavors t"at bring out t"e best in t"e flavor of food#
6irect food additives are t"ose t"at are added to a food for a s!ecific !ur!ose in t"at food#
Most direct additives are identified on t"e ingredient label of foods#
Indirect food additives are t"ose t"at become !art of t"e food in trace amounts due to its
!ac.aging& storage or ot"er "andling# For instance& minute amounts of !ac.aging substances may
find t"eir +ay into foods during storage#
A color additive is any dye& !igment or substance +"ic" +"en added or a!!lied to a food&
drug or cosmetic& or to t"e "uman body& is ca!able of im!arting color#
Here is a list of 0 +orst food additives in t"e +orld so ne%t time you .no+ +"at to really
avoid from !urc"asing<
/@ A /- B *ryt"orbic Acid A Sodium *ryt"orbate
*ryt"orbic Acid and Sodium *ryt"orbate are bot" food antio%idants and artificial colour
retention agents used for t"e !roduction of fro8en and !ac.ed meat and fis"& s!ecially# $"ey to
not "ave any nutritional value +"atsoever#
$"ey can interfere +it" t"e bodyCs absorbtion of Vitamin , +"ic" means t"at t"ey lo+er
t"e immune system and e%!ose it to various medical conditions#
25 - *ryt"rosine
*ryt"rosine is also a colour retention agent t"at "as caused tumors and
neuro!"ysiological damage onto tested animals# For "umans it also can disru!t t"e good
funtioning of t"e t"yroid and cause very many allergies# ItCs usage itCs limited to t"e !roduction
of candied c"erries and coc.tail c"erries#
$"e ma%imum daily inta.e is 0&mgD.g& but s!ecialists donCt recommend it at allE
2>2 B 6imet"yl dicarbonate
Fne of t"e +orst food additives in t"e +orld is t"e artificial food !reservative number
2>2 because of t"e follo+ing reasons< it is "ig"ly corrosive for t"e eyes and s.in and also to%ic if
ingested and in"aledE
It is namely used for t"e c"emical !rocess of sterili8ation of non-alco"olic drin.s and
bottled tea#
2>3 B =otassium nitrite
=otassium nitrite is an artificial food !reservative mainly used in t"e !roduction of
lunc"eon meats or deli meats# S!ecialists "ave agreed t"at all nitrites and nitrates can form in
some conditions nitrosamines& c"emical com!ounds associated +it" t"e develo!ment of cancer#
It causes "ead ac"es& cyanosis and it is mostly dangerous for infants& ma.ing it one of t"e
+orst food additivesE
24> A 24@ B ;oric acid A ;ora%
$"is artificial !reservative is one of t"e +orst food additives due to t"e fact t"at on long
term it inGures t"e internal organs& it also can cause into%ications and being a neuroto%ine it
damages t"e brain#
$"e boric acid is "ig"ly used in !reserving caviar#
/4@ B ,alcium disodium et"ylenediaminetetraacetate
/4@ is one of t"e +orst food additives t"ere are because of t"e multi!le damages it can do
to t"e "uman body& namely< metabolic c"anges& minerals imbalance and it can also slo+ do+n
t"e !rocess of bloog coagulation# 'orst& t"e artificial antio%idant /4@ causes severe damage to
our gastrointestinal system& muscle !ain and is ne!"roto%ic#
/4@ is found in fis"& canned soft drin.& tinned +"ite !otatoes& salad dressings& egg
!roducts& oleomargarine& lima beans& mus"rooms& sand+ic" s!reads and ot"ers#
;eing one of t"e +orst food additives it is banned in Australia and ot"er countries#
24 B 9ed 2 7

9ed 2 7 is anot"er life-t"reatening food additive t"at is banned in Australia and in most
*uro!ean countries# 9ed 2 7 is a colour retention agent t"at en"ances meats t"e red natural
colouring#
It is "ig"ly used in t"e !roduction of burgers& sausages& roast meat and ot"er meet s!ecialities but
it also used in t"e !roduction of various soft drin.s#
9ed 2 7 causes cancerE
2/ B Amarant"
Amarant" is a colour retention agent t"at is +ater-soluble and it is used in t"e !roduction of
+ines and drin.s +it" @ H alco"ol at most# It can also be found in fis" eggs#
2/ is one of t"e +orst food additives in t"e +orld because it can cause ec8ema& ast"ma&
"i!eractivity& A6H6 disorder and even +orst neonatal defects& fetal deat" and in t"e end cancer#
S!ecialists do not recommend t"e inta.e of Amarant" I2/JE
3@ B As!artame
As!artame is one of t"e +orst food additive and one of t"e most .no+n artificial flavor en"ancer
+orld +ide# It tastes s+eet& almost li.e sugar and it is "ig"ly used in t"e !roduction of sugar free
c"e+ing gum& soft drin.s but also for ot"er sugar free !roducts on t"e mar.et#
As!artame can cause nausea& di8iness& "alucinations& irritability& "ead ac"es& !al!itations&
an%iety& Goint !ain& muscle s!asms& memory loss and in t"e end brain cancer#
@20 B =ro!ylene glycol
=ro!ylene glycol is obtained out of !etrolium and it is used in t"e manufacturing of a
+ide range of !roducts& namely antifree8e& toot" !aste& cosmetic !roducts& c"e+ing gum&
c"ocolates and !astery#
Humectant agent& t"e !ro!ylene glycol is one of t"e +orst food additives due to t"e fact
t"at is causes de!ression and it damages t"e central nervous system# It is "ig"ly neuroto%ic and
cardioto%ic and it !robably +ill slo+ly .ill you& starting +it" t"e brain#
$"is is t"e +orst food additive on t"e mar.etE
'"at Are t"e Sym!toms of Food Additive 9eactionsK
Sym!toms vary in ty!e and degree# $"ey de!end on t"e additive causing t"e reaction&
"o+ sensitive t"e !atient is to t"e !roduct and t"e amount consumed# Most reactions are
c"emical& not allergic reactions# =eo!le +"o react to one c"emical are not li.ely to react to
ot"ers#
$"e most serious reaction to a food additive is ana!"ylactic s"oc.# $"is is a life-
t"reatening condition t"at includes breat"ing !roblems and loss of consciousness& among ot"er
!"ysical reactions# It usually occurs +it"in minutes after consuming t"e additive# '"en t"is
"a!!ens& blood vessels +iden so muc" t"at blood !ressure !lummets# Sym!toms include
s+eating& !aleness& !anting& nausea& ra!id !ulse& faintness& confusion and even !assing out#
'it"out s!eedy treatment& t"is intense allergic reaction can cause deat"#
'"at Additives ,ause 9eactionsK
$"ere are eig"t additives t"at may cause reactions<
Sulfites can cause mild to life-t"reatening sym!toms in a!!ro%imately @ !ercent
of !eo!le +it" ast"ma# Sym!toms include c"est tig"tness& "ives& stomac" cram!s&
diarr"ea& breat"ing !roblems and ot"er sym!toms of ana!"ylactic s"oc.# *%!erts sus!ect
t"at t"e reactions are caused by a "y!er-reaction to in"aled sulfur dio%ide# Some !roducts
sulfites can be found in +ine& dried fruits& +"ite gra!e Guice& fro8en !otatoes& marasc"ino
c"erries& fres" s"rim!& and certain Gams and Gellies# Sulfites at one time +ere used on
fres" fruits and vegetables to retain color and fres"ness# $"e Food and 6rug
Administration& +"ic" governs t"e use of food additives& "as banned t"em from suc" use#

As!artame I0utras+eet J is a calorie-free s+eetener# Most re!orted reactions&
include )"ives&) s+elling of t"e eyelids& li!s or "ands and "eadac"es# ;ut t"ese reactions
"ave not been verified# =eo!le +"o "ave a !roblem brea.ing do+n t"e amino acid&
!"enylalanine& s"ould not consume as!artame# Some claim t"e !roduct also causes
"y!eractivity in c"ildren& but study results do not su!!ort t"ese claims#

=arabens are used to !reserve foods and medications# Some e%am!les of !arabens
are et"yl& met"yl& !ro!yl& butyl!arabens& and sodium ben8oate# In sunscreens and
s"am!oos& t"ey can cause severe contact dermatitis# $"is is a s.in condition t"at causes
redness& s+elling& itc"ing and !ain# ;ut adverse reactions to foods containing !arabens
"ave not been clearly s"o+n in studies#

$artra8ine is a dye used in beverages& candy& ice cream& desserts& c"eese& canned
vegetables& "ot dogs& salad dressings& seasoning salts& catsu! and some ot"er foods# It
may be associated +it" "ives or s+elling: alt"oug" sus!ected of causing ast"ma attac.s&
recent studies suggest t"at t"is is unli.ely# A 34/ scientific revie+ of studies led e%!erts
to conclude t"at no more t"an 2 !ercent of c"ildren react to dye additives# $"ese reactions
are very rare in recent studies#

MS7 Imonosodium glutamate& or glutamic acidJ forms 20 !ercent of dietary
!rotein# MS7 is used in Friental foods and in manufactured meat& !oultry and ot"er
!roducts by manufacturers and restaurants to en"ance flavors# It is believed to cause
),"inese 9estaurant Syndrome#) A !atient may "ave a "eadac"e& a burning sensation on
t"e bac. of t"e nec.& c"est tig"tness& nausea& diarr"ea and s+eating# $"ere "ave been rare
re!orts t"at !eo!le +it" ast"ma +"o "ave consumed MS7 "ave more severe ast"ma
attac.s# $"is is still being researc"ed#


0itrates and nitrites are used to !reserve foods& !revent deadly botulism infection&
en"ance flavors and color foods# $"ey may rarely cause "eadac"es and "ives in some
!eo!le# 0itrates and nitrites are used in "ot dogs& bologna& salami and ot"er !rocessed
meats and fis"#

;H$ Ibutylated "ydro%ytolueneJ and ;HA Ibutylated "ydro%yanisoleJ are added
to brea.fast cereals and ot"er grain !roducts to !revent t"em from ta.ing in o%ygen and
c"anging color& odor and flavor# $"ey "ave been lin.ed to c"ronic "ives and ot"er s.in
reactions on rare occasions#

;en8oates are !reservatives for some foods including ca.es& cereals& salad
dressings& candy& margarine& oils and dry yeast# ;en8oate reactions are very rare#

Ho+ Are 9eactions to Food Additives 6iagnosedK
$oday& scientists +ould demand stricter control of t"e !rocess re!orted in 3@3 to
diagnose tartra8ine as t"e cause of t"e "ives# $"ey (uestion if ot"er claims of adverse reactions
to food additives are based on !ro!erly controlled studies s"o+ing a relations"i!#
Lou may "ave reason to believe t"at you "ave adverse reactions to certain food additives#
If you do& remove t"e additives from your diet for a fe+ days# Lour sym!toms s"ould !rom!tly
go a+ay if t"e additive is t"e cause# $"ere is no evidence t"at any food additive causes a reaction
t"at lasts more t"an one day#
$o confirm t"at an additive is causing a reaction& a controlled study can be done# $"e
food additive s"ould be added and removed from t"e diet# 0eit"er t"e !atient nor t"e !"ysician
s"ould .no+ if t"e additive is in t"e diet# $"e !atient s"ould t"en be +atc"ed to see if t"ere is a
c"ange in sym!toms# Sym!toms s"ould im!rove +"en t"e food is removed from t"e diet#
Ho+ ,an 'e =revent a 9eactionK
$"e only +ay to !revent a reaction is to avoid t"e cause# $o ma.e sure you do not
un.no+ingly consume t"e !roduct& carefully read ingredient lists on food labels& and (uestion
restaurant staff about coo.ing met"ods#
$o avoid sulfiting agents& loo. for sulfur dio%ide& sodium or !otassium sulfite& bisulfite&
or metabisulfite in ingredient lists#

$y!es of Food Ingredients
$"e follo+ing summary lists t"e ty!es of common food ingredients& +"y t"ey are used&
and some e%am!les of t"e names t"at can be found on !roduct labels# Some additives are used
for more t"an one !ur!ose#
$y!es of
Ingredients
'"at $"ey 6o *%am!les
of Uses
0ames Found
on =roduct ?abels
=reservatives =revent food s!oilage
from bacteria& molds&
fungi& or yeast
IantimicrobialsJ: slo+
or !revent c"anges in
color& flavor& or te%ture
and delay rancidity
Iantio%idantsJ: maintain
fres"ness
Fruit sauces and
Gellies& beverages&
ba.ed goods& cured
meats& oils and
margarines&
cereals& dressings&
snac. foods& fruits
and vegetables
Ascorbic acid& citric acid& sodium
ben8oate& calcium !ro!ionate&
sodium eryt"orbate& sodium
nitrite& calcium sorbate&
!otassium sorbate& ;HA& ;H$&
*6$A& toco!"erols IVitamin *J
S+eeteners Add s+eetness +it" or
+it"out t"e e%tra
calories
;everages& ba.ed
goods& confections&
table-to! sugar&
substitutes& many
!rocessed foods
Sucrose IsugarJ& glucose&
fructose& sorbitol& mannitol& corn
syru!& "ig" fructose corn syru!&
sacc"arin& as!artame& sucralose&
acesulfame !otassium
Iacesulfame-MJ& neotame
,olor Additives Fffset color loss due to Many !rocessed F6A, ;lue 0os# and 2& F6A,
$y!es of
Ingredients
'"at $"ey 6o *%am!les
of Uses
0ames Found
on =roduct ?abels
e%!osure to lig"t& air&
tem!erature e%tremes&
moisture and storage
conditions: correct
natural variations in
color: en"ance colors
t"at occur naturally:
!rovide color to
colorless and )fun)
foods
foods& Icandies&
snac. foods
margarine& c"eese&
soft drin.s&
GamsDGellies&
gelatins& !udding
and !ie fillingsJ
7reen 0o# /& F6A, 9ed 0os# /
and >0& F6A, Lello+ 0os# @
and -& Frange ;& ,itrus 9ed 0o#
2& annatto e%tract& beta-carotene&
gra!e s.in e%tract& coc"ineal
e%tract or carmine& !a!ri.a
oleoresin& caramel color& fruit and
vegetable Guices& saffron
Flavors and
S!ices
Add s!ecific flavors
Inatural and synt"eticJ
=udding and !ie
fillings& gelatin
dessert mi%es& ca.e
mi%es& salad
dressings& candies&
soft drin.s& ice
cream& ;;N sauce
0atural flavoring& artificial
flavor& and s!ices
Flavor
*n"ancers
*n"ance flavors already
!resent in foods
I+it"out !roviding t"eir
o+n se!arate flavorJ
Many !rocessed
foods
Monosodium glutamate IMS7J&
"ydroly8ed soy !rotein&
autoly8ed yeast e%tract& disodium
guanylate or inosinate
Fat 9e!lacers
Iand
com!onents of
formulations
used to re!lace
fatsJ
=rovide e%!ected
te%ture and a creamy
)mout"-feel) in
reduced-fat foods
;a.ed goods&
dressings& fro8en
desserts&
confections& ca.e
and dessert mi%es&
dairy !roducts
Flestra& cellulose gel&
carrageenan& !olyde%trose&
modified food starc"&
micro!articulated egg +"ite
!rotein& guar gum& %ant"an gum&
+"ey !rotein concentrate
0utrients 9e!lace vitamins and
minerals lost in
!rocessing
Ienric"mentJ& add
nutrients t"at may be
lac.ing in t"e diet
IfortificationJ
Flour& breads&
cereals& rice&
macaroni&
margarine& salt&
mil.& fruit
beverages& energy
bars& instant
brea.fast drin.s
$"iamine "ydroc"loride&
riboflavin IVitamin ;
2
J& niacin&
niacinamide& folate or folic acid&
beta carotene& !otassium iodide&
iron or ferrous sulfate& al!"a
toco!"erols& ascorbic acid&
Vitamin 6& amino acids I?-
try!to!"an& ?-lysine& ?-leucine&
?-met"ionineJ
$y!es of
Ingredients
'"at $"ey 6o *%am!les
of Uses
0ames Found
on =roduct ?abels
*mulsifiers Allo+ smoot" mi%ing of
ingredients& !revent
se!aration
Mee! emulsified
!roducts stable& reduce
stic.iness& control
crystalli8ation& .ee!
ingredients dis!ersed&
and to "el! !roducts
dissolve more easily
Salad dressings&
!eanut butter&
c"ocolate&
margarine& fro8en
desserts
Soy lecit"in& mono- and
diglycerides& egg yol.s&
!olysorbates& sorbitan
monostearate
Stabili8ers and
$"ic.eners&
;inders&
$e%turi8ers
=roduce uniform
te%ture& im!rove
)mout"-feel)
Fro8en desserts&
dairy !roducts&
ca.es& !udding and
gelatin mi%es&
dressings& Gams
and Gellies& sauces
7elatin& !ectin& guar gum&
carrageenan& %ant"an gum& +"ey
!H ,ontrol
Agents and
acidulants
,ontrol acidity and
al.alinity& !revent
s!oilage
;everages& fro8en
desserts& c"ocolate&
lo+ acid canned
foods& ba.ing
!o+der
?actic acid& citric acid&
ammonium "ydro%ide& sodium
carbonate
?eavening
Agents
=romote rising of ba.ed
goods
;reads and ot"er
ba.ed goods
;a.ing soda& monocalcium
!"os!"ate& calcium carbonate
Anti-ca.ing
agents
Mee! !o+dered foods
free-flo+ing& !revent
moisture absor!tion
Salt& ba.ing
!o+der&
confectioner2s
sugar
,alcium silicate& iron ammonium
citrate& silicon dio%ide
Humectants 9etain moisture S"redded coconut&
mars"mallo+s&
soft candies&
confections
7lycerin& sorbitol
Least 0utrients =romote gro+t" of yeast ;reads and ot"er
ba.ed goods
,alcium sulfate& ammonium
!"os!"ate
6oug"
Strengt"eners
and
=roduce more stable
doug"
;reads and ot"er
ba.ed goods
Ammonium sulfate&
a8odicarbonamide& ?-cysteine
$y!es of
Ingredients
'"at $"ey 6o *%am!les
of Uses
0ames Found
on =roduct ?abels
,onditioners
Firming Agents Maintain cris!ness and
firmness
=rocessed fruits
and vegetables
,alcium c"loride& calcium lactate
*n8yme
=re!arations
Modify !roteins&
!olysacc"arides and fats
,"eese& dairy
!roducts& meat
*n8ymes& lactase& !a!ain& rennet&
c"ymosin
7ases Serve as !ro!ellant&
aerate& or create
carbonation
Fil coo.ing s!ray&
+"i!!ed cream&
carbonated
beverages
,arbon dio%ide& nitrous o%ide

,onclusion
'"ile food additives "ave been used for centuries& t"ey "ave gained increased
im!ortance and +ides!read use in t"e last fe+ decades# Food additives "el! assure a constant
food su!!ly of safe& "ealt"y& nutritious& varied and a!!ealing !roducts at an affordable !rice&
somet"ing +e "ave come to e%!ect#
;ecause of strict regulation and t"oroug" testing& food additives are safe elements of our
diet# Ff course& clear labelling adds to consumers2 ability to ma.e informed c"oices about t"e
foodstuffs t"ey buy.