Do you really know about food additives?

December 20, 2023

Do you think that you know everything about the food additives? Think again!

In this article, we dispel a lot of common myths and open up what is actually behind these enigmatic additions. From typifying the multitude of additives and the purpose they serve to look into the future trends in additive technology, you will get to know what actually lurks inside processed foods. We are leaders in the food additives industry, and we debunk the misunderstandings and provide an exciting peek into the world of food science.

What are Food Additives?

Additives, which are an essential part of current food production, have a vital function in preserving food quality and flavor. They are substances employed in improving the beauty, feel, taste, and storage time of food products.
Nevertheless, this topic of food safety and food additives often evokes anxiety and skepticism. The growing knowledge about additives and food safety makes people start to question the safety of food additives. Several misunderstandings center on the perception that food additives are chemicals and can have adverse impacts on people’s health. Hereinafter, let us consider the definition, role, and scientific principles of food additives to give you a clear-cut comprehension. We will reveal the key role of food additives in the contemporary food industry and cover some of its issues so that at the end of the day, you will be able to make a well-informed choice about what to eat.

Main types of food additives

During food production, various food additives are used for quality improvement, shelf life extension, and taste enhancement. Here are some common types of food additives and their functions and applications:

Preservatives:
Function: Preservatives are used to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast, and molds, thereby extending the shelf life of food.
Applications: Commonly found in meat products, fruit juices, canned foods, and other items requiring a longer shelf life.
Antioxidants:
Function: Antioxidants prevent the oxidative rancidity of fats and oils in food and in this way retard the deterioration of food products.
Applications: Found in oil, nuts, baked products, and other foods that readily oxidize.
Acidulants:
Function: The acidulants are utilized for modification of food acidity or alkalinity, improving its taste and flavor.
Applications: Widely present in carbonated drinks, yogurt, jams, and others.
Flavor Enhancers:
Function: Flavor enhancers are employed to make the food taste better and thus more palatable.
Applications: Generally applied in junk foods, spices, and canned products.
Emulsifiers:
Function: Emulsifiers aid in combining two ordinarily immiscible mediums; water and oil into a homogeneous composition, improving the texture and stability.
Applications: Found in salad dressing, dairy products, baked goods and more.
Stabilizer:
Function: Stabilizers preserve the condition of food, avoiding ingredient separation or settling.
Applications: Often used in milkshakes, frozen desserts, jellies, and so on.

Common Misconceptions and Facts

The food additives are chemicals and harmful:
The chemicals in food additives are components of them, hence not all of them are harmful. A significant number of additives undergo detailed safety tests to ascertain that their usage does not have any adverse impact on human health. In addition, the common foods contain the chemical elements that are also in the nature. The production of additives is regulated by government regulatory agencies that constantly monitor the input dose of additives to keep it within the safe range.

The safety of food additives is doubtful and may be harmful to the body:
Food additive use is intended to improve food quality, shelf life, and flavor. A lot of food additives have been studied and clinically tested and it has been confirmed that they are safe within a limit of a set amount. The quantity of additives that exist in an ordinary diet is usually low and not likely to have a considerable effect on human health. Maximum usage limits are set by regulatory agencies so that food additives are used within reasonable quantities.

Allergies can be stimulated by food additives:
Despite the fact that there are people who have an allergy to some food preservatives, it does not mean that all of us will react to them. An allergic response to food additives is quite rare and is not something of concern for the majority of consumers who can consume products with additives in them. Those who are allergic can look through a life-threatening foods additive list and avoid unsafe situations.

Evaluation of Food Additives Safety:

This process includes a wide range of stages, from research in laboratories to governmental regulation.

Laboratory Research: This is the first step that includes the chemical and laboratory analysis for evaluation on the potential consequences of food additives. This may involve stability tests and purity tests.
Animal Testing: The testing process involves the use of laboratory animals to observe the behavior and potential effects of food raw material on living organisms. Preliminary data on human health effects could be provided by these tests.
Toxicity Testing: After the testing parameters, animals should be evaluated in detail concerning the potential harmful effects like acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, genetic toxicity, etc.
Human Trials: Upon successful completion of animal testing and toxicological studies, food additives are subjected to human trials. Such tests are performed under a very close control in order to support safety.
Government Evaluation and Regulation: Upon completion of all trials, data and results are provided to the government agencies such as China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), etc., which perform thorough evaluations and give decisions about the food additives inclusion to the food production. They also control the authorized application of food additives for the purpose of adherence to safety and regulatory conditions.

What is the right way of treating food additives?

Balancing views about food components is critical to consumers. Reading food labels and becoming aware of the kinds and quantities of additives used allows one to make informed choices. Learning about popular additives, e.g., preservatives and antioxidants, will enable you to tell if a food product contains them. Prioritize natural foods. Select products with simple ingredients when choosing the right products to take in order to reduce the intake of synthetic additives.
Nevertheless, the balance of the diet is a main consideration, which is seeing that a variety of food is eaten including, fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and healthy fats. The use of food ingredients should be approached responsibly by manufacturers. They have to make sure the additives they employ are safe and transparent in their communication so that consumers are able to comprehend and evaluate the function and effect of food additive.

Future Trends in Food Additives

The future of food additives is on the brink of a radical transformation due to advances in technology and changing consumer preferences. This shift is centered on the advancement of natural substitutes, the utilization of biotechnology and fermentation, the use of smart packaging, and the improvement of nutrient profiles in functional foods.
Natural Alternatives: A tendency is observed to substitute synthetic additives by natural ones. For example, the demand for clean-label food dyes is rising, causing the invention of natural colorants that are as bright and lightfast as their synthetic counterparts. This transition is, in part, induced by regulatory measures, for instance, the European Commission banning titanium dioxide and France’s systematic assessment of nanomaterials in food.
Biotechnology and Fermentation: Biotechnological developments make it possible to produce important compounds such as vitamins, amino acids and enzymes by fermentation. Such changes promote better nutritional and functional characteristics of food, eliminating the use of synthetic additives.
Smart Packaging: The use of Oxygen and Humidity monitors as a part of the innovative packaging solutions helps in monitoring food conditions, thus keeping the food fresh and reducing the dependence on preservatives.
Functional Foods and Nutrient Enhancement: Technology allows for functional food production with enhanced natural components, such as antioxidant-rich drinks or vitamin-enriched cereals thus eliminating the use of synthetic additives.
Global Market Trends: The global food additives market is segmented into preservatives, sweeteners, emulsifiers, and food colorants, which each are witnessing shifts towards more natural and sustainable options.

Food additives have become a significant factor in the food industry that helps in maintaining food quality, increasing shelf-life, and enhancing the taste, therefore, essential. To preserve this process, the regulation of additives becomes increasingly sophisticated and technical, making certain that only the safe ones are utilized in foods.
However, the variety of food additives, and the complexity of safety issues, make it quite clear why consumers still hesitate. Rationality should be maintained, no rumors should be accepted and no prejudiced and prejudiced notions be entertained. Meanwhile, listening to authorities and refreshing your knowledge is obligatory for being aware of the state of things.

Mondstar is a long-time food additive supplier, if you have any purchasing requirements or cooperation intention in the food additives, please look for our professional team.