Additives Demystified

Food additives are chemicals, both natural and artificial, which are added to foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals and other products. They generally fall into three categories – preservatives, flavor enhancers and coloring agents.

Preservatives are added to products to prevent spoilage and/or physical or chemical changes that affect color, flavor, texture or appearance.

Flavor Enhancers are added to food to improve its flavor or to replace flavor lost during processing.

Coloring Agents are used extensively in processed food to improve its appearance.