Food Additives Cheung Ka Yan(7) Wong Pui Yee(34) Wu Cheuk Yu(36) Yau Suet Ying(37)

Contents What is food additives The use of food additives Types of Food Additives The negative effect of food additives The importance of food additives Advice to the public of food additives Reference

What is Food additive?? Food additives are defined as food manufacturing or processing is made by adding natural or artificial chemicals. Some additives have been used for centuries; With the advent of processed foods in the second half of the 20th century, many more additives have been introduced, of both natural and artificial origin.

The use of Food Additives The food additives being used should present no risk to the health of the consumer at the levels of use. (a) To preserve the nutritional quality of the food; (b) To enhance the keeping quality or stability of a food or to improve its organoleptic properties; (c) To provide necessary constituents for foods manufactured for groups of consumers having special dietary needs; All food additives shall be used under conditions of good manufacturing practice (GMP) which quantity of the additive added to food shall be limited to the lowest possible level necessary to accomplish its desired effect

Types of Food Additives Flavorings: There are approximately 1100 to 1400 natural and synthetic flavorings available to food processors. Stabilizers: These are used to keep products in a set state Colorings: Ninety percent are artificial and do not contain any nutritional value. Sweeteners: These are designed to make the foods more palatable. Preservatives: Helps maintain freshness and prevents spoilage that is caused by fungi, yeast, molds and bacteria. Acids/Bases: Provides a tart flavor for many fruits and is used in pickling as well as putting the carbonation in soft drinks.carbonation

negative affect of food additives laughing at inappropriate times (at night or when something is not funny) strange rashes that appear on the body erratic behaviors and moods self -timulatory behaviors waking up in the middle of the night having a difficult time with their stools (constipation, diarrhea, and/or undigested foods) headaches

Importance of food additives Additives carry out a variety of useful functions which we often take for granted. Foods are subjected to many environmental conditions, such as temperature changes, oxidation and exposure to microbes, which can change their original composition. Food additives play a key role in maintaining the food qualities and characteristics that consumers demand, keeping food safe, wholesome and appealing from farm to fork.

Advice to the public of food additives 1.Buy foods from reputable sources. 2.Read the label of prepackaged food carefully in particular the ingredient list for food additives added (if any) which you could accept. 3.People with allergic condition, such as asthma patients, may experience hypersensitive reaction due to some food additives like sulphur dioxide and should be careful in selecting food. Advice from medical professionals may be sought when necessary.

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