Friday, September 26, 2008

Definition of Food Additive

Definition of Food Additive
Food Additive legally defined as “A substance or a mixture of substance, other than a basic foodstuff, that is present in a food as a result of an aspect of production, processing, storage or packaging”

A food additive in it broadest sense is any substance added to food. Legally additives are classified as direct if they are intentionally or purposely added to foods, in which case they must be named on food labels, or indirect if they are incidentally added to food in very small amounts during some phase of production, processing, storage, packaging or transportation.

According to FDA, food additives are substance added to foods for specific physical or technical effects. They may not used to disguise poor quality but may aid in preservation and processing, or improve the quality factors of appearance, flavor, nutritional value and texture.

Although consumer may be skeptical of, or perhaps in opposition to, an uncommon or unfamiliar chemical name of a food additive, in fact, all additives, including GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substance, such as salt, are chemicals. Food additive undergo rigorous toxicological analysis before their approval and use in foods.
Definition of Food Additive

The most popular articles