Food Additives

Uses of food additives

Prevent the growth

of microorganism Preventing the
for the food to last oxidation of fats and
longer . Adding colouring to oils by oxygen in air
food so as to make
the food look fresher
, more interesting or
more appetising

Restoring the colour

of food destroyed Improving the
during food texture of food and
processing to prevent food
from becoming
liquid

Making food taste

or smell better
Types of food additives
Types Of Preservatives Examples Functions
Preservatives Sodium Nitrite - to preserve meat , sausage ,
Sodium Nitrate cheese and dried fish
- to prevent food poisoning in
canned foods
- To maintain the natural colour
of meat and to make them look
fresh
Benzoic Acid
Sodium benzoate - To preserve sauces (oyster ,
tomato , chili) , fruit juice , jam
and margarine
Sulphur dioxide
Sodium sulphite - Used as bleaches and
antioxidants to prevent
browning in fruit juices

Antioxidants Butanoic acid - Added into fats , oils ,

cakes,sausages , biscuits and
fried food to slow down
oxidation process
Flavouring Agents Monosodium - Enhance flavor of food
glutamate(MSG)

Aspartame and saccharine - Substitute for sugars to

(artificial sweeteners) enhance the sweetness in food
and drinks
Thickening Agents Gelatin & Pectin - To thicken the food and
prevent it from liquefying
- Absorb water to to produce
jelly like structure
- Added into jam and jellies set
Stabilisers Gelatin - Enable oil and water in the
Acacia gum food to mix together properly
Lecithin in order to form an emulsion
Pectin - Improve texture
- (e.g – used in peanut butter to
keep them smoothe and
creamy)
Dyes (colouring agents) Azo - Improve appearance
Triphenyl compounds - Restore the food colour
- Enhance natural colour
- Give colour to colourless food
Effects of Excessive Intake
Symptoms Causes Diseases
Allergy Sodium Sulphite Allergie reaction
BHA
BHT (antioxidant)
MSG(flavouring ) - Chest pain
Yellow No.5

Sodium Nitrate & Sodium - Blue baby syndrome –

Nitrite fatal for babies
- Due to lack of oxygen in
the blood
Cancer Sodium nitrite - Contain carcinogens
- Reacts with amines in
food to produce
nitrosamine causing
cancer
Brain damages Nitrites - Excessive intake of in
for a prolonged time
can cause brain damage
Hyperactives Tartrazines - Children who are
hyperactives become
very active , find it
difficult to relax or
sleep and very restless .