Food processing - Additives Flashcards
E numbers
Means additive tested by experts and accepted safe in EU. Under law, must be listed on labels
Fortified foods
Extra nutrients added during processing to increase nutritive value.
Substances added may help control diseases, eg. coronary heart disease
Advantages of additives
Food last longer, reduce waste
Wider choice of foods
Preserves, reduce risk of food poisoning
Good-quality food can be consistently provided
Functions of additives
Improve appearance + flavour Last longer Reduce risk of food poisoning Improve texture Improve food value, ie. nutritive additives
Advantage of fortified food
Extra nutrients, more nutritious
Tackles health issues of country
Replaces nutrients lost
Increases sales for manufacturers as consumers more health conscious
Disadvantages of additives
May deceive consumer
Side effects eg hyperactivity, skin rash
Mixture may be harmful over time
Some overuse foods containing additives, eg, msg + do not enjoy taste of fresh foods
ADDITIVES
Colours (E100-E199)
Flavourings (Do not contain E numbers)
Flavour enhancers (E620-640)
Preservatives (E200-299)
Antioxidants (E300-399)
Emulsifiers & stabilisers
Nutritive additives
Additives : colours
Adds colour, more appealing.
Beta-carotne, Sunset yellow (E110), Allura red (E129)
Additive: flavourings
Improve flavour
Sugar, salt, spices, saccharine + aspartame (artificial sweeteners)
Additives: flavour enhancers
Make flavour seem stronger
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) (E621)
Additives: Preservatives
Keep food from going bad.
Vinager, Sorbic acid, salt
Additives: antioxidants
Prevents food containing fat going rancid (bad)
Vitamin C, Vitamin E
Additives: emulsifiiers, stabilisers
Emulsifiers - Force oil + water to mix
Lecithin (E422)
Stabilisers - Prevent oil + water separating Guar gum (E412)
Additives: Nutritive additives
Improve nutritive value, replace nutrients lost.
Vitamins + minerals added to breakfast cereals.
Additives
Substances added by manufacturers to improve food in some way
