Food additives Flashcards
What are food additives?
Substances (natural or artificial) added to foods during production to preserve or improve their flavour, texture or appearance.
What are nutrients?
Substances found in food that performs a specific function in the body. Provide energy, build tissues and maintain basic health.
What are emulsifiers?
Allow oil and liquid to mix together to form permanent emulsion.
What are stabilisers?
Substances added to foodstuff to achieve an even texture and to improve appearance.
What are bleaches?
A bleaching agent is added to flour to make it appear whiter as freshly milled flour has a yellowish tint.
What are colourants?
Natural or synthetic colourants are used to improve the appearance of food to make it more attractive.
What do chemical preservatives do?
They prevent or slow down spoilage caused by micro-organisms. They inhibit or retard the growth of micro-organisms .
What do antioxidants do?
They delay enzymatic browning in cut or peeled fruit and vegetables that are exposed to air. Prevent the oxidation that can lead to rancidity and discolouration.
What do E-numbers represent?
Specific food additives used in the manufacturing of various food products.
What information is linked to E-numbers?
Each number is linked to a certain additive and will provide information on the specific additive, potential harm, origin of the substance, category.
What are E-numbers assigned to?
Additives that are safe to use are assigned an E-number and listed on the General Recognised as Safe List. (GRAS-list)
What is lecithin?
An emulsifier that prevents the separation of oil and water.
Give 3 examples of stabilisers.
Gelatin, pectin and Xanthan gum
What is calcium peroxide?
A bleaching agent for flour.
What prevents colour change in dried fruit?
Sulphur dioxide
What inhibits the growth of bacteria in wine while acting as an antioxidant?
Sulphites.
What preserves cold meat?
Nitrates
What enhances the quality of a product?
Calcium disodium
What prolongs shelf life and slows down enzymatic activity?
Sorbic acid
List 4 food additives that may cause allergic reactions?
Tartrazine, MSG, sulphites and benzoates, nitrates.
List five things that can be improved by using food additives?
Taste, texture, appearance, food safety, shelf life, nutritional value and preventing food spoilage.
List 2 antioxidants.
Vitamin E and Vitamin C
List 2 colour enhancers.
Annatto and tartrazine
List 3 flavour enhancers.
Spices, MSG and citric acid
List 3 natural sweeteners.
glucose, sucrose and fructose
List 3 artificial sweeteners.
Aspartame, sorbitol and maltitol
What is the function of food acids?
To make flavours sharper and to enhance taste. They act as preservatives and antioxidants.
Give 5 examples of food acids.
Vinegar, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid.
Give 2 examples of foods that contain food acids.
Pickles and salad dressing
What is the function of acid regulators?
To change or otherwise control the acidity and alkalinity of foods.
Give 3 examples of acidity regulators.
Lectin, soya and eggs
What foods contain acid regulators?
Canned foods
What is the function of anti-caking agents?
To keep powders such as milk powder from caking, lumping together or sticking.
Give 5 examples of anti-caking agents.
Mannitol, sodium, bicarbonate, stearic acid, E500-599
Give 4 examples of foods that contain anti-caking agents.
Instant coffee, milk powder, cream powder, cocoa
What is the function of anti-foaming agents?
Reduce or prevent foaming in foods and liquids.
Give 2 examples of anti-foaming agents.
Oleic acid and sulfonated oils
Give 3 examples of foods that contain anti-foaming agents.
Jam, juice and stock.
What is the function of bulking agents?
Increase the bulk of a food without affecting its taste.
Give an example of a bulking agent.
Starch
List 2 foods that contain bulking agents.
Instant soups and noodles.
What is the function of colour retention agents?
Used to preserve a foods existing colour.
List 2 colour retention agents.
Vitamin C and Annatto
List 4 foods that contain colour retention agents.
Peaches, wine, juice and baby food.
