Additives

Question 1

What is a natural additive

Answer 1

Obtained from natural sources e.g purple from beetroot

Question 2

What is a nature identical additive

Answer 2

Synthetic copies of naturally occurring substances because it’s cheaper e.g vanillin extracted from vanilla pods

Question 3

What is an artificial additive

Answer 3

Not naturally occurring, synthetic e.g saccharin

Question 4

What are additives used for

Answer 4

S- shelf life
U-uniform
E-enhance flavour/ texture
D-decay prevent/ delay process

Question 5

What is an E-number

Answer 5

Food additives are tested before they are allowed in the EU after they are given an E-number to show they are safe

Question 6

What are colourings

Answer 6

E100-E199
Used to make food attractive can replace colour lost during processing
E.g
Natural - seeds roots grasses
Synthetic- E102 tartrazine E110 sunset yellow

Question 7

What are preservatives

Answer 7

E200-E299
Slows down decay attacks enzymes in bacteria/ microorganisms and stop them functioning
E.g nitrates salt vinegar alcohol

Question 8

What are sweeteners

Answer 8

Makes products healthier
Used as a replacement
E.g fructose instead of glucose

Question 9

What are emulsifiers

Answer 9

E400-E499
Improves consistency of foods
Helps mix fats/oil with water and stop them separating
Hydrophobic end likes oil hydrophilic end likes water
Gives a smooth texture
Thickens sauces
E.g lecithin in eggs

Question 10

What are flavourings

Answer 10

E600-E699
Improves flavour of food 
Replaces flavour lost in processing
Used to give strong/distinctive flavour 
E.g vanillin herbs fruits berry’s roots

Question 11

What are flavour enhancers

Answer 11

E600-E699
Same function as flavourings
E.g monosodium glutamate (msg)
Used in lots of processed foods

Question 12

What are antioxidants

Answer 12

E300-E399
Keeps food by stoping chemical reactions
Prevents oxidisation in fruit/ veg
E.g. vitamin c