what are additives

• food additives are substances added to products to perform a specific function
• the functions include:

  • adding colour
  • adding flavour
  • preserving by inhibiting microbial growth of increasing shelf life
• all additives are thoroughly tested before being allowed for use
• the ones approved by the EU are given an 'E' number
• additives may be :

  • natural (obtained from natural sources such as extracts)
  • synthetic (man-mad copies of natural substances)
  • artificial (produced chemically and not copies of substances found naturally)