Food additives are substances added to food products during processing to improve their taste, texture, color, or shelf life. Here are some common food additives found in everyday products: 1. Preservatives: Used to extend the shelf life of food products by preventing spoilage caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Some common preservatives include sodium benzoate, sorbic acid, propyl gallate, sodium propionate, and benzoic acid. 2. Coloring Agents: Added to food products to enhance their appearance and make them more appealing to consumers. Some common coloring agents include Red #40 (Allura Red), Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue), Yellow #5 (Tartrazine), Green #3 (Fast Green), and Black PN (Black Pearl). 3. Flavorings: Used to enhance the taste of food products. They can be natural or artificial. Some common flavorings include vanilla extract, lemon juice concentrate, artificial strawberry flavor, natural orange flavor, and artificial cinnamon flavor. 4. Sweeteners: Used to add sweetness to food products without adding calories. Some common sweeteners include aspartame (Equal®), saccharin (Sweet'N Low®), sucralose (Splenda®), high fructose corn syrup, and Stevia extract. 5. Thickening Agents: Used to improve the texture of food products. Some common thickening agents include xanthan gum, guar gum, carrageenan, pectin, and alginates. 6. Emulsifiers: Used to combine ingredients that normally wouldn't mix together, such as oil and water. Some common emulsifiers include monoglycerides, diglycerides, lecithin, polysorbate 80, and propyleneglycol monostearate. 7. Acidity Regulators: Used to control the acidity level of food products. Some common acidity regulators include citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and sodium citrate. 8. Antioxidants: Used to prevent food products from becoming rancid due to oxidation. Some common antioxidants include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherol), BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone).
Common Food Additives in Everyday Products
Food additives are substances added to food products during processing to improve their taste, texture, color, or shelf life. Here are some common food additives found in everyday products:
Preservatives
Preservatives are used to extend the shelf life of food products by preventing spoilage caused by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Some common preservatives include:
- Sodium benzoate
- Sorbic acid
- Propyl gallate
- Sodium propionate
- Benzoic acid
Coloring Agents
Coloring agents are added to food products to enhance their appearance and make them more appealing to consumers. Some common coloring agents include:
- Red #40 (Allura Red)
- Blue #1 (Brilliant Blue)
- Yellow #5 (Tartrazine)
- Green #3 (Fast Green)
- Black PN (Black Pearl)
Flavorings
Flavorings are used to enhance the taste of food products. They can be natural or artificial. Some common flavorings include:
- Vanilla extract
- Lemon juice concentrate
- Artificial strawberry flavor
- Natural orange flavor
- Artificial cinnamon flavor
Sweeteners
Sweeteners are used to add sweetness to food products without adding calories. Some common sweeteners include:
- Aspartame (Equal®)
- Saccharin (Sweet'N Low®)
- Sucralose (Splenda®)
- High fructose corn syrup
- Stevia extract
Thickening Agents
Thickening agents are used to improve the texture of food products. Some common thickening agents include:
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
- Carrageenan
- Pectin
- Alginates
Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers are used to combine ingredients that normally wouldn't mix together, such as oil and water. Some common emulsifiers include:
- Monoglycerides
- Diglycerides
- Lecithin
- Polysorbate 80
- Propyleneglycol monostearate
Acidity Regulators
Acidity regulators are used to control the acidity level of food products. Some common acidity regulators include:
- Citric acid
- Lactic acid
- Malic acid
- Tartaric acid
- Sodium citrate
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are used to prevent food products from becoming rancid due to oxidation. Some common antioxidants include:
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- Vitamin E (tocopherol)
- BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
- BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)