Why Food Additives?

What are food additives & why are they used?

Additives are substances added during the processing of food, and in very small quantities, to help maintain the quality of the finished product. Some examples:

-preservatives to prevent food from spoiling through the growth of bacteria
-antioxidants to prevent the fats in food from going rancid
-emulsifiers, stabilisers and gelling agents to maintain the consistency and texture of food
-sweeteners, flavourings, and acidulants to maintain or enhance the taste of food

Are they used in all processed foods?

Why do we need so many food additives?

For how long have food additives been used?

Aren't additives used to cover up poor processing of food?

Are food colours really necessary?

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