Food additives
Food additives don’t have nutritional value, but they are added to food in small amounts to serve a specific function. Some, like preservatives, stop bacteria or mould from spoiling your food, so that it lasts longer. Colourings are used to make our food looks more appealing. Emulsifiers allow water and oils to remain mixed together in an emulsion, like in mayonnaise for example. Every additive that we find on our plate in Europe has been thoroughly tested and has, based on the best currently available science, been classified as safe and approved for use by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
What are emulsifiers and what are common examples used in food?
01 October 2022This article explores what emulsifiers are, how they work, the different types that exist and in which food products they play a vital role.
What are nitrates and nitrites and what foods are high in them?
01 October 2022Nitrates and nitrites have raised some concerns among consumers for their potential to harm health. But is it true that these food additives are not safe?
What is monosodium glutamate and is it bad for you?
01 October 2022Is monosodium glutamate really as bad for you as the press says? This article explores MSG and what the latest research says about its health effects.
What are preservatives and what are common examples used in food?
01 October 2022Preservatives have become an indispensable part of the food we eat. This article explores the varying ways preservatives keep our foods fresh, safe, and shelf stable.
What are sulphites in wine and are they bad for you?
01 October 2022Sulphites in wine are often blamed for headaches and other unpleasant reactions. But are they actually the cause? Here is what you need to know about sulphites.
What are food additives and how are they regulated in the EU?
01 December 2021Despite modern-day associations, food additives have been used for centuries. Over the last 50 years, developments in food science and technology have led to the discovery of many new substances that can fulfil numerous functions in foods.
What are acidity regulators and why are they added to food
01 December 2021Some acidifiers also act as stabilizers, others help antioxidants or emulsifiers, or assist in colour retention. It may seem a minor parameter, but to maintain the appropriate pH is the first step to ensure food safety and a longer shelf life.
EU Food Additives List (Online Database)
15 December 2017This article lists and provides examples of the different types of groups of food additives currently used in the European Union.
Common uses of emulsifiers in food
01 April 2005Add oil to water and the two liquids will never mix. At least not until an emulsifier is added. Emulsifiers are molecules with one water-loving (hydrophilic) and one oil-loving (hydrophobic) end. They make it possible for water and oil to become finely dispersed in each other, creating a stable, homogenous, smooth emulsion.
Food preservatives: additives that make food last longer
03 July 2004Preservatives are a recurring topic in public discussions, and whenever it crops up, many consumers associate them with harmful, modern chemicals in foodstuffs. But, as a brief look back into the past will show, preservation of food was practised several hundred years ago when man first used salt (salting) and smoke (curing) to stop meat and fish from going bad.
The importance of antioxidants in food
01 July 2004Antioxidants are present in many foodstuffs, and everyone has heard of them at some time or other or seen them listed as additives on food packaging. But what are they supposed to do in foods? And why do they play such an important role in many products?