Food Additives
Food Additives
Food Additives
FOOD ADDITIVES
NUMBERING SYSTEM
To regulate these additives, and inform consumer, each additive is assigned a unique number, termed as "E numbers", which is used in Europe for all approved additives. This numbering scheme has now been adopted and extended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to internationally identify all additives, regardless of whether they are approved for use.
Since 1987, Australia has had an approved system of labeling for additives in packaged foods. Each food additive has to be named or numbered. The numbers are the same as in Europe, but without the prefix 'E'.
SERIES
E100
FUNCTION
Color E160a
EXAMPLE
Carotene
E200
Preservative
E234
Nisin
E300
Antioxidant
E307
Alpha-tocopherol
E400+
miscellaneous
E440 E501
COLORING AGENTS:
E101
Riboflavin is also known as Sauces, processed cheese vitamin B2. It can be and foods with added obtained by fermenting vitamins such as bread. yeast or synthesized artificially. In foods, it is used as an orange-yellow color. Yellow colored synthetic azo Is no longer widely used. dye. This coloring sparks Now rarely used in curries controversy as some groups and some ready-meals. suggest it causes behavioral problems in children (see food issues ). Orange-yellow color found in Soft drinks, margarine, plants such as carrots, butter, yoghurt. tomatoes and oranges. Dark brown to black color. The most common coloring. 90% of all coloring used is caramel. Obtained by the heating of sugars. Dark purple colored synthetic color. Similar in color to blackcurrants. Cola drinks, confectionery, baked-foods, ice cream, chocolate, beers, vinegar and whisky. Powdered soup, jam, ice cream, instant gravy.
Tartrazine
E102
Amaranth
E123
NATURAL COLORS: Obtained from natural sources such as plants and animals
Dried bodies of cochineal insects. Courtesy: Florida Center for Instructional Technology, University of Florida
NATURE IDENTICAL COLORS: Identical to the molecules found in nature Synthetically made
SYNTHETIC COLORS: They don not occur in nature Synthetically made for example azo-dyes such as amaranth, quinoline, e.t.c.
'Amaranth' is a synthetic food coloring
EMULSIFIERS
Emulsions in food are the mixtures of oil and water Emulsifying agent keeps the mixture stable and prevents the separation of oil and water It makes the food appealing Also prevents the growth of moulds
FLAVORING AGENTS
Flavorings are added to food products to give, enhance or intensify flavor They used in food products at very low concentrations They are normally made from a mixture of substances which provide a flavoring of suitable strength that can be stored and then used in the food production process
CATEGORY
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLE
FLAVORING SUBSTANCES
Natural citral extracted from lemon grass Natural benzaldehyde from bitter almonds.
Nature identical flavoring Prepared or extracted using chemical methods. Identical to natural flavoring substances.
Vanillin may be obtained from vanilla pods but the flavor is now produced chemically from a plant material called lignin.
Artificial (i.e. not nature identical) Compounds which are not chemically identical to natural flavoring substances.
Ethyl vanillin or ethyl maltol which have not been identified in nature.
FLAVORING PREPARATIONS
Essential oils and even fruit Obtained from animal or juices come into this category vegetable material. if they are used for their flavoring properties. They are obtained by physical methods, enzymes or fermentation. Produced by heating together These flavors are found in substances which individually gravy granules. may not have flavoring properties. One of these must contain an amino group (-NH2) and the other must be a reducing sugar. Extracted from smoke and give smoked salmon or smoked the same flavor as those kippers. produced during the traditional food-smoking process. These flavors are safer than the traditional smoking process. Harmful chemicals are removed as much as possible from the smoke flavoring.
PROCESS FLAVORINGS
SMOKE FLAVORINGS
PRESERVATIVES
A naturally occurring or synthetic substance that is added to products in order to inhibit retard or arrest the process of fermentation, acidification or other deterioration of foods They preserve the natural characteristic of food Preserve the appearance of food and Enhance the shelf life of food
Preservatives are commonly used in low fat spreads cheeses, margarine, mayonnaise and dressings bakery products dried fruit preparations Other than the use of preservatives, there are several methods of preserving food such as canning, freezing or chilling and drying.
CATEGORY
DESCRIPTION
EXAMPLE
NATURAL PRESERVATIVES
ARTIFICIAL PRESERVATIVES
Types of Artificial Preservatives Food
In the category of natural food Used in pickles, jams, jellies preservatives comes the salt, and also in meat preservation sugar, alcohol, vinegar etc. e.t.c.
These are synthetic chemical. They can be added or sprayed on the food. Antimicrobial agents prevents Benzoates, Sodium benzoate, the growth of micro organisms Sorbates and Nitrites. Antioxidants prevents food, containing fat and oil, from going rancid Sulfites, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Chelating agents removes traces of metal ions which might otherwise cause foods to deteriorate and clinically to reduce absorption of a mineral
ACIDULANTS
They give a sharp taste to foods. They also assist in the setting of gels and to act as preservatives. Many natural foods are acidic. For example, oranges, lemons, apples, tomatoes and they contain natural acids, such as citric acid.
Some common acidulents are: Acetic acid, Citric acid, Fumaric acid, Malic acid, Lactic acid, Tartaric acid e.t.c.
Acidulents are widely used in pickle industry, confectionaries, in beverage industry, for the formation of jams n jellies, in cheese making industry e.t.c.
SWEETNERS
These are alternate to sugars and they provide sweetness without calories They are used in small quantities as compared to sugars
There are two types of sweeteners: a. Intense sweeteners such as saccharin n aspartame e.t.c. are many times sweeter than sugar. Therefore typically used at very low levels. b. Bulk sweetener such as sorbitol n manitol e.t.c. provide both bulk and sweetness. They have a similar sweetness to sugar and are used at similar levels They are used in drinks, breakfast cereals, confectionery, desserts, fillings and toppings , jams, jellies, baked beans, canned fruit, medicines syrups salad dressings and baked goods
STABILISERS
help to maintain the physical and textural properties of foodstuffs through their production, transport, storage and cooking
ANTI-CAKING AGENTS:
ensures free movement or flow of particles, e.g. in dried milk or table salt.
GLAZING AGENTS:
provide a protective coating or sheen on the surface of foods, e.g. confectionary (for appearance and shelf-life).
COLOR
FOUND IN
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Erythrosine
Cancer
Tartrazine (E102)
Hyperactivity, asthma, skin rashes, and migraine headaches. Asthma, rashes and hyperactivity. Potential carcinogen in animals. Growth retardation and severe weight loss in animal studies. May worsen or induce asthma, rhinitis, or urticaria. May worsen or induce asthma, allergies or hives. Hyperactivity and skin rashes. Listed as human carcinogen by the US EPA.
Sunset yellow (E110) Yellow FCF Orange Yellow S Allura red (E129)
PRESERVATIVES
FOUND IN
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Sodium meta-bisulphite Potassium nitrate (E249) Calcium benzoate (E213) Sulphur Dioxide (E220)
Cured meats and canned meat May lower oxygen carrying products. capacity of blood Drinks, low-sugar products, cereals, meat products. Carbonated drinks, Dried fruits, Juices, Potato products Particularly in fat containing foods, confectionery, meats. May temporarily inhibit digestive enzyme function May induce gastric irritation, nausea, diarrhea, asthma attacks, skin rashes. BHA interacts with nitrites to form chemicals known to cause changes in the DNA of cells. May cause bronchial problems, flushing, low blood pressure, tingling, and anaphylactic shock.
FLAVORINGS N SWEETENERS
FOUND IN
NEGATIVE EFFECTS
Destroys nerve cells in brain and linked with aggravating or accelerating Huntington's, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Increases hyperactivity.
May cause neurological damage, especially in younger children. Breaks down in the body in to potential neurotoxins. May interfere with blood coagulation, blood sugar levels and digestive function. Carcinogen in animals. Obesity, Accelerated aging, Insulin resistance, Diabetes mellitus, Fatty liver, Increased triglycerides, Increased uric acid, Chronic diarrhea.
Aspartame (E951)*
Soft drinks
Saccharine (E954)*
Carbonated drinks, juices baked goods, candies, canned fruits, jams & jellies, dairy products
CONCLUSION
Consume less processed, frozen and prepackaged food Check the labels for additives
Consult the additive guide of Center for Science in the Public Interest, which lists additives you may want to avoid alongside those that are relatively benign.