Food Additives

Question 1

Define food additives

Answer 1

Substances intentionally added to food to improve colour, flavour, keeping quality, nutritive value or texture

Question 2

Why do we use food additives

Answer 2

Smoother texture
Enhance/preserve nutritive value
Prolong shelf life
Help with processing/preparation
Enhance flavour/taste of food
Enhance appearance/colour of food

Question 3

Additives for smoother texture

Answer 3

Emulsifiers prevent separation
Stabilisers and thickeners give smooth texture
Anti-caking agents ensure a substance flows freely

Question 4

Additives to enhance/preserve a products nutritional value

Answer 4

Vinegar - preserve pickles
Salt - preserve meat/fish
Sugar - preserve fruit
Fortified foods like margarine

Question 5

Additives to prolong shelf life of foods

Answer 5

Preservatives prevent microbial growth
Antioxidants in baked goods prevent rancidity
Additives prevent fruit from going brown

Question 6

Additives to help with processing/preparation of food

Answer 6

Raising agents with alkali and acid produce bubbles - help product rise
Additives change the acid balance - correct flavour/colour

Question 7

Additives to enhance taste/flavour of foods

Answer 7

Herbs and spices

Question 8

Additives to enhance the appearance/colour of food

Answer 8

Colourants enhance the appearance of food
Make more appetizing

Question 9

Safety and human health concerns of food additives

Answer 9

Researched and monitored by Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972
Additives tested before human consumption
Toxic effects are investigated
Long-term effects are researched
No harm level is used
Safety controls are performed
Once approved it is added to ‘permitted food additives’ list
Food manufacturers must prove their products are safe

Question 10

Additives have been linked to which diseases

Answer 10

Cancer
Digestive disorders
Nervous disorders
ADHD
Heart diseases
Obesity
Allergies

Question 11

Allergic reactions to food additives include

Answer 11

Respiratory problems
Asthma (sulphites/benzoates)
Skin conditions
Swelling, hives, rashes (tartrazine)
Nervous disorders
Hyperactivity/insomnia (MSG)

Question 12

Nutrient benefits of additives

Answer 12

1. Improve population nutritional status (RDI)
2. Additives like ascorbic acid (Vit C) are antioxidants/preservatives

Question 13

Emulsifiers (Food Additives)

Answer 13

Mix immiscible substances
Prevent separation
Consistent texture

Examples: Lecithin, egg yolk
Used in: Margarine, ice cream, mayonnaise

Question 14

Stabilisers (Food Additives)

Answer 14

Maintain uniform dispersion
Two or more immiscible substances
Even texture

Examples: Gelatine, pectin

Question 15

Bleaches/colourants (Food Additives)

Answer 15

Bleaches whiten food
Delay colour loss
Correct natural variations

Tartrazine must be labelled clearly
Others: E numbers

Question 16

Chemical preservatives (Food Additives)

Answer 16

Prevent microbial growth
Have antioxidant property - wine/fermented foods

Sulfur dioxide/sulphites - prevent colour change in dried fruit/vegetables
Calcium propionate - prevent mould growth in baked goods
Nitrates in processed meats - carcinogenic links
Benzoates - fruit juice

Question 17

Antioxidants (Food Additives)

Answer 17

Antioxidants prevent oxidation
Fruits, fruit juices, natural fats/oils - go brown or rancid

Tocopherol (Vit E) - edible fats, salad dressing, vegetable oils from becoming rancid
Ascorbic acid (Vit C) and citric acid - preserve colour of fresh cut fruit and vegetables

Question 18

Additives to improve taste

Answer 18

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) - savoury products and oriental food
Glutamic acid - high protein foods
Glutamate - tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms

Citric acid - natural preservative, sour taste

Chemical flavouring is cheaper than natural flavours

Question 19

Sweetners (Food Additives)

Answer 19

Sugar - sucrose, glucose, fructose

Corn syrup - salad dressings

Artifical sweetners - aspartame/saccharine (diabetics)

Mannitol/Sorbitol - energy, used in sweets and gum

Question 20

Consumer issues regarding food additives

Answer 20

Responsibility to make informed choices
Avoid if adverse effects are experienced
Read labels
Avoid food with lots of additives
Question if food is safe

Question 21

Tuckshops (Food Additives)

Answer 21

Obesity and deficiency diseases on the rise
Need nutrients for growth
Should eat nutritious food at school
High fat and carbohydrate content in food offered
Children need to be educated about nutrition

Question 22

Energy drinks (Food Additives)

Answer 22

Contain:
Caffeine
Sugar
I-carnitine, and taurine (amino acids)
Antioxidants
Sodium benzoate (preservative)
Ginseng (herbal extract)
Creatine
Colourings

Question 23

Chewing gum (Food Additives)

Answer 23

Made from latex sap, sapodilla tree
Synthetic rubber
Corn syrup and aspartame
Flavourings
Glycerine/vegetable oil

Question 24

Potato chips (Food Additives)

Answer 24

Flavourings like MSG
Spices
Sweetner
Hebs
Cheese
Citric acid
Trans fats and sodium
Acrylamide - cancer causing