Technological developments to support better health and food production Flashcards
Advantages of Fortification
- increase nutrient content
- solve nutrient deficiency in the country
- sell more of a product
- add to other aspects of the product
- replace the nutrients lost during the processing of foods
What do additives improve?
- keeping properties
- flavour
- colour
- texture
- appearance
- stability
What are the main groups of food additives?
- preservatives
- antioxidants
- colours
- flavouring and flavour enhancers
- sweeteners
- emulsifiers and stabilisers
Why are additives used?
- safe for longer
- more attractive
- competitive pricing
- improved nutritional profile
what are the three main types of additives?
natural - natural resources
nature identical - made in lab with chemicals
artificial - synthetic compounds do not occur in nature
What are the advantages of using additives?
- wider range of food products
- improve specific characteristic
- produce expected quality
- product range
- maintain product consistency
- restore original characteristics
- prevent food spoilage
What are preservatives?
substances that extend the shelf life of a product
What are preservatives found in?
- processed foods
- cured meats
- dried fruit
What are the advantages of preservatives?
- extend shelf life, consumers do not constantly need to shop
- prevent pathogenic growth
What are antioxidants?
substances that stop fat from going rancid, stop enzymatic browning
Give some examples of antioxidants
Vitamins A C E
What are antioxidants used to do?
- help prevent fat soluble vitamins from combining with oxygen
- prevent foods from going brown, when exposed to air
What are colourings in manufacturing used for?
- replace colour lost in heat treatment
- boost colours
- maintain consistency between batch productions
- attractive
What are intenser sweeteners?
- 300 times sweeter than sugar, only in small amounts
- low in energy
- low calorie drinks and reduced sugar products
- used for consumers who want to reduce sugar
What are the disadvantages of intense sweeteners?
- lack of bulk that is needed
- not the same characteristics as sugar
- bitter aftertaste
What are bulk sweeteners?
- similar to sugar regarding sweetness
- uses similar amounts as sugar
- used in sugar-free confectionery
What are stabilisers?
help prevent the mixture from separating
what are examples of foods that contain modified starch?
frozen foods
ready meals
microwave meals
sauces
dressings
soups
why are gelling agents used?
- to create a smooth, set texture
- setting meat and fish in savoury jelly
- stabilisers to stop separation
- stabiliser to ensure smooth texture
- give liquid a pliable texture
what are functional foods?
have health promoting benefits
What are probiotic foods?
containing naturally occurring live bacteria
helps to strengthen the immune system and healthy digestive system
what are prebiotic foods?
contain carbohydrates that cannot be broken down in digestive system
what are plant sterols and stanols?
reduce the absorption of cholesterol from the gut
