1.

Introduction

.Definition of food additives

Food additives are chemicals added to foods to keep them fresh or to enhance their
colour, flavour or texture. They may include food colourings (such as tartrazine or
cochineal), flavour enhancers (such as MSG) or a range of preservatives.

.Historical context of food additives

Food additives have been used since primordial times. They are the most important
to impart artificial flavors and improve the quality of food and drinks. The
earliest record in the history of adding additives to food dates back to Ancient
Egyptian papyri circa 1500 BC.

.Importance of additives in modern food processing

Other food additives are used for a variety of reasons, such as preservation,
colouring and sweetening. They are added when food is prepared, packaged,
transported, or stored, and they eventually become a component of the food.
Preservatives can slow decomposition caused by mould, air, bacteria or yeast.

2. Types of Food Additives

.What are the 5 main food additives?

Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) Monosodium glutamate, or MSG, is a common food additive
used to intensify and enhance the flavor of savory dishes. ...
Artificial Food Coloring. ...
Sodium Nitrite. ...
Guar Gum. ...
High-Fructose Corn Syrup.

.What are the regulatory aspects of food additives?

The approval is given for its use as a food additive indicating maximum amount
which can be incorporated. Methods of tests are also prescribed. The toxicological
tests required by the regulatory authorities include lifetime feeding studies and
multigenerations that determines how the body reacts to the additive.\

3. Functions of Food Additives

.Preservation: Extending shelf life and preventing spoilage
1)Some Common methods of preservation
a)Canning — involves packing a food in a container (can, jar, pouch, etc.) and
supplying sufficient heat treatment to kill spoilage organisms or pathogens that
may be present. The process must be carefully designed for each product, and should
be approved by a process authority. Any low-acid food or acidified, low-acid food
must be processed in an FDA registered kitchen and have a process on file with
either the FDA or the USDA.

b)Drying — involves removing sufficient moisture from the food to prevent the
growth of pathogens and spoilage organisms. All organisms require moisture to live
and multiply. The water activity Aw of a food describes the amount of moisture that
is available for microbial growth. Drying requires reducing the water activity
sufficiently to prevent microbial growth. The dried food should be packaged to
protect it from insects, moisture, etc. Often dried foods are dried to a moisture
level lower than that required for microbial stability.

c)Chilling — Refrigeration only extends the shelf life by a few days, e.g.
sandwiches, and requires accuracy of temperature control. As the increase in shelf
life is measured in days it often is used in conjunction with other preservation
methods, such as heat in the pasteurization of milk, to achieve greater shelf life.
Chilling is done via a blast chiller cabinet or room, larger scale production can
use spiral chillers for continuous production. Liquids can be cooled using plate or
scraped surface heat exchangers. The latter can take up more space than a plate
heat exchanger but can handle higher viscosity liquids.

4.BENEFITS OF FOOD ADDITIVES COMPLIANCE

Compliance with food additive regulations and standards can offer several benefits
for both consumers and food manufacturers. Some of the key benefits of food
additives compliance include:

Improved food safety: Compliance with food additive regulations can help ensure
that food additives are safe for consumption and do not pose any health risks to
consumers.

Consistent quality: Compliance with food additive regulations can help ensure that
the quality of food products is consistent and predictable. This can help food
manufacturers maintain consumer trust and loyalty and can also help reduce waste
and improve efficiency.

Increased transparency: Compliance with food additive regulations requires food

manufacturers to list all additives used on food labels. This can help consumers
make informed decisions about the foods they eat and promote transparency in the
food industry

Innovation and product development: Compliance with food additive regulations can
encourage innovation and product development, as manufacturers are encouraged to
find new and innovative ways to improve the quality and safety of their products.

International trade: Compliance with food additive regulations can help facilitate
international trade by ensuring that food products meet the standards and
regulations of importing countries.