Definition of Food Additive

Definition of Food Additive
Contrary to popular believe, the word “food additive” refers to a use and not a class of substances. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines food additive as follows:

"...the intended use of which results or may reasonably be expected to result, directly or indirectly, either in their becoming a component of food or otherwise affecting the characteristics of food.

A material used in the production of containers and packages is subject to the definition if it may reasonably be expected to become a component, or to affect the characteristics, directly or indirectly, of food packed in the container.

‘Affecting the characteristics of food’ does not included such physical effects as protecting contents of packages, preserving shape, and preventing moisture loss. If there is not migration of a packaging component from package to the food, it does not become a component of the food and thus is not a food additive.

A substances that does not become a component of food, but that is used, for example, in preparing an ingredient of the food to give a different flavor, texture or other characteristic in the food, may be a food additive.”

Sometimes additives are divided into two categories:
1. Intentional or direct
2. Incidental or indirect

Intentional or direct
These are the additives of known composition that have been purposely added to foods to achieve specific effects during production or processing or to impart or retain desired characteristics.

Incidental or Indirect
These are chemical which have no planned function in food, but become part of it during some phase of processing, packaging, or storing.

For most part, additives perform a necessary function on food. The amount of most additive consumed on a yearly basis is relatively small: hence, additives pose a minor health risk.

There are over 2,000 additives, many are common chemicals, and all are continually scrutinized by any adverse effects on the health of people. But, to enjoy the benefits from any technology carries as certain degree of risk.
Definition of Food Additive