Food additives are substances that are added to food in order to preserve flavour or improve taste, appearance, or other sensory qualities. Some additives, such as vinegar (pickling), salt (salting), smoke (smoking), sugar (crystallisation), and others, have been used for centuries to preserve food. This allows for the storage of longer-lasting foods such as bacon, sweets, and wines. With the introduction of processed foods in the second half of the twentieth century, many additives, both natural and artificial, were introduced. Food additives also include substances that are introduced to food indirectly (referred to as "indirect additives") during the manufacturing process, packaging, or storage or transportation.
Some people are allergic to certain
food additives and may experience symptoms such as hives or diarrhoea. This is not to say that all foods containing additives should be avoided at all costs. Chemicals are present in all foods, and food additives are not always 'less safe' than naturally occurring chemicals. Many of the food additives used by the food industry are also found naturally in foods that people eat on a daily basis. MSG, for example, is found in far greater quantities naturally in parmesan cheese, sardines, and tomatoes than it is as a food additive. People who have food allergies or intolerances are often sensitive to chemicals found in foods such as nuts or shellfish.
The rising number of working women, combined with changing consumer lifestyles, has resulted in increased consumption of convincing food products, which is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for the food additive market. The advancement of technology used in the processing of food products, as well as the growing need to reduce food waste and spoilage, are expected to drive the growth of the food additive market.
Other types of food additives are used for a variety of purposes, including preservation, colouring, and sweetening. They are added to food while it is being prepared, packaged, transported, or stored, and they eventually become a component of the food. Preservatives can help to slow down the decomposition caused by mould, air, bacteria, or yeast. Preservatives help control contamination that can cause foodborne illness, including life-threatening botulism, in addition to maintaining food quality.
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