Food additives are substances added to food to improve or alter their flavor, color, texture, or shelf life. They can be used to preserve food, make it more appealing, or supplement nutrients. Besides that, The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring that food additives are safe for consumers. The FDA only permits the use of food additives that have been proven to be safe and effective. To delve deeper into food additives, let’s explore in the article below with GOL!

What are food additives?

Food additives are commonly incorporated into food products in the United States, serving a range of purposes to enhance taste, texture, appearance, and shelf life. Manufacturers rely on these additives for various reasons, whether to improve the visual appeal of their products or to ensure their safety and quality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the regulation of food additives, assessing their safety and establishing labeling requirements based on their intended use.

In accordance with FDA regulations, all ingredients in a food item must be listed on its label, with the most abundant ingredient listed first and the least abundant listed last. Additionally, specific labeling requirements may apply to certain additives, while others may be exempt from such regulations.

Labeling requirements apply to different types of food additives

Direct Additives

Direct additives are substances added to food products for specific purposes. For instance, carrageenan is commonly found in almond milk, cottage cheese, ice cream, coffee creamers, and vegan cheese, serving various functions.

Sometimes, direct additives act as preservatives, maintaining freshness and safety by slowing spoilage caused by mold, air, bacteria, fungi, or yeast. For example, carrageenan may be added to dairy products to prevent spoilage.

Direct additives also enhance taste, texture, and appearance. Carrageenan, besides its preservative function, acts as a thickener in products like coffee creamer and ice cream, improving texture. Natural and artificial flavors, spices, and sweeteners are other examples of direct additives used for taste enhancement.

Moreover, direct additives can contribute to nutritional value. Added vitamins and minerals may boost nutrient intake, compensate for natural losses during processing, or increase the nutritional density of a product.

All direct additives must be clearly listed on the label according to FDA’s general labeling requirements for food ingredients.

Chemical Preservatives

Chemical preservatives are defined by the FDA as substances that prevent or delay food deterioration. Exclusions include common salt, sugars, vinegars, spices, spice extracts, wood smoke-exposed foods, and chemicals with insecticidal or herbicidal properties.

On food labels, chemical preservatives must be identified by their common or usual name, along with a description indicating their preservative function, such as “preservative” or a statement specifying their role, such as “_______ to promote color retention.”

Incidental Additives

Incidental additives refer to substances present in food at insignificant levels, with no functional effect on the finished product. They may result from being a component of ingredients or used as processing aids.

Processing aids are substances added during food processing but removed before packaging, converted into constituents naturally found in the food, or present at insignificant levels without functional effect.

Substances meeting these definitions may be exempt from declaration on the product label’s ingredient list.

Color Additives

Color additives encompass dyes, pigments, or substances capable of imparting color to food, drugs, cosmetics, or the human body. They serve various purposes, including offsetting color loss, correcting natural variations, enhancing natural colors, or adding color to colorless foods.

“Certified” color additives undergo batch certification with each new batch manufactured, while “exempt” color additives include natural pigments not requiring batch certification.

Exempt colors can be collectively listed as “artificial colors,” “color added,” or by name, with certain allergenic additives like carmine/cochineal extract requiring specific identification. Colors subject to batch certification must be declared by name using the “FD&C” prefix, such as FD&C Red No. 40.

The benefits of food additives

The functions of food additives encompass various aspects aimed at enhancing food products:

Maintain or Improve Safety and Freshness

Preservatives are instrumental in slowing down product spoilage caused by factors like mold, air, bacteria, fungi, or yeast. They not only preserve the quality of food but also play a crucial role in controlling contamination, which can lead to foodborne illnesses, including severe cases like botulism. Antioxidants, a subgroup of preservatives, prevent fats, oils, and foods containing them from becoming rancid or acquiring undesirable flavors. Additionally, they inhibit cut fresh fruits, such as apples, from browning when exposed to air.

Improve or Maintain Nutritional Value

Food additives, including vitamins and minerals, are often incorporated into various foods to compensate for deficiencies in one’s diet, losses incurred during processing, or to enhance the overall nutritional profile of the food.

Improve Taste and Texture

Enhancing the taste of foods is achieved through the addition of spices, natural and artificial flavors, and sweeteners. Moreover, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners contribute to providing foods with the desired texture and consistency expected by consumers. Leavening agents facilitate the rising of baked goods during the baking process. Some additives also aid in regulating the acidity and alkalinity of foods, while others help maintain the taste and appeal of foods with reduced fat content.

In general, all ingredients used in food products must be disclosed on food labels, unless exempted. Food manufacturers bear the responsibility of ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of the ingredients they utilize before making them available to consumers. The FDA plays a crucial role in evaluating and regulating food additives and ingredients to ensure their safe usage. The safety of food additives and ingredients categorized as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is contingent upon scientific evidence demonstrating their compliance with the FDA’s safety standards. Despite efforts to mitigate risks, it’s important to acknowledge the inherent limitations of science, which means absolute certainty regarding the absence of any risk associated with the use of any ingredient cannot be guaranteed by the FDA.

Adverse Reactions to Food Additives

Many individuals attribute adverse allergic reactions to food additives. However, most studies indicate that only a few additives cause adverse reactions, affecting a small number of people. Whether someone has a confirmed food allergy to one of the eight most common allergens or suspects sensitivity to food additives, it’s crucial to review the product’s ingredient statement. This allows consumers to confirm the presence of specific additives and make informed purchasing decisions.

Allergic reactions represent one type of adverse reaction to food. These reactions, known as IgE-mediated reactions, impact an individual’s immune system and necessitate immediate medical attention, often requiring the use of epinephrine. In the United States, eight foods are responsible for approximately 90% of allergic reactions.

Sensitivities and intolerances constitute other types of adverse reactions to food. These reactions, categorized as non-IgE mediated, are not life-threatening like allergic reactions. Instead, they primarily affect the digestive system and do not typically require epinephrine for treatment. Examples include lactose intolerance and sensitivity to sulfites.

Adverse food reactions may also result from foodborne illnesses. Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with food poisoning can resemble those of allergic reactions. However, food poisoning reactions often affect multiple individuals, and symptoms may not recur if the individual consumes the uncontaminated food again.

FAQs about food additives

What types of food additives are commonly used?

Common food additives include preservatives, flavor enhancers, colorants, emulsifiers, thickeners, and sweeteners. These additives can be natural or artificial and serve different functions in food products.

Are food additives safe to consume?

When used within approved limits, food additives are generally considered safe for consumption. The FDA evaluates the safety of additives based on scientific evidence and sets acceptable daily intake levels.

How many food additives are currently approved in the USA by the FDA?

There are more than 10,000 chemicals and additives permitted in food in the United States, many of which are approved by the FDA. These additives are utilized in varying quantities and serve different purposes in food production and processing.

Read more: FDA approved vs FDA cleared: The differences you need to know

Does the FDA regulate feed additives?

The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine oversees feed contaminants, sets standards for them, approves safe food additives, and oversees the FDA’s medicated feed and pet food programs.

In conclusion, understanding the role of food additives and their regulation by the FDA is crucial for ensuring the safety and quality of the food we consume. If you’re involved in the food industry and need assistance with FDA registration or compliance, GOL is here to help. Our expert services can guide you through the process of FDA registration include FDA food facility registration, ensuring that your products meet all necessary requirements. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today to learn more about how we can support your business and ensure compliance with FDA regulations. Contact us now to get started!

References: 

According to An official website of World Health Organization (WHO) – Food additives

Read more: What is ultra-processed food? How does it affect health?