Food AdditivesScience Ace Secondary 1 2012 term 2.

Rio Tang (22) class 1i3

What are the most common type of food additives?

CaffeineCaffeine occurs naturally in some

beverages and is added to some soft drinks. It is not added to any food.

Caffeine, a drug, is a stimulant to the nervous system and is mildly

addictive.

CaramelCaramel, produced by cooking sugar,

is one of the most common additives. In one form, manufactured with ammonia as a chemical agent,

tests have shown caramel may cause health problems.

Lactic AcidLactic acid is used to boost or adjust acid in cheese and olives and to add

tartness to ice creams and beverages. Nonacidic lactates

prevent discoloration of fruits and vegetables. It is considered safe.

Monosodium glutamateMonosodium glutamate, a flavor enhancer, may cause temporary

allergic discomfort to some adults and has been banned in baby food. It

should be avoided by pregnant women and those on a low sodium

diet.

EDTAEDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) is considered a safe additive

and is used to trap metal impurities that cause clouding in beverages; in

other foods, it is used to retard staling and discoloration.

NiacinNiacin, or vitamin B-3, is added to many processed foods, particularly cereals. It is safe, and is often cited

by food companies in nutritional claims.

Yellow Dye No.5

Yellow dye No. 5, widely used in processed foods, is known to cause allergic reactions in some people.

SugarSugar, from the standpoint of

consumption, tops the list of food additives by a wide margin. Some breakfast cereals, for example, get

nearly half their calories from added sugar and it is the main ingredient in

many soft drinks.

Sugar part 2Refined sugar, from which the

nutrients have been removed, makes up 10 to 20 percent of the American

diet. Sugar is linked to dental cavities. - Sulfites, often found as

sodium bisulfite, are commonly used to retain color and prevent bacterial

growth in foods and beverages. Some people are allergic to sulfiting

agents, and it is the only additive known to have caused deaths in

humans.

PolysorbatesPolysorbates are emulsifiers used to

preserve texture and freshness in such things as bread, rolls and doughnuts. They are generally

considered safe, but the FDA placed limits on the amount of

contamination with dioxane after this known carcinogen was found in

polysorbates.

SodiumSodium, listed on food labels as salt (sodium chloride) and other sodium

compounds, is widely used in processed and fast foods and is a

factor in high blood pressure.

Sodium NitrateSodium nitrite is used to treat

billions of pounds of meat annually to preserve color and prevent

spoilage and bacterial growth. Some research shows bacon containing

nitrites, if cooked at high temperatures, can produce cancer-

causing nitrosamines.

Why do foods include so many additives?

Convenience

Buying pre-made foods is far easier and less time-consuming

than making your own meals from scratch. Making your own whipped cream takes time, patience, skill, and knowledge, and the result of

the labor will spoil quickly.

EmulsifyingAdditives allow two substances

that are different in density, to stay in a mixed state, or in scientific

terms, emulsified. One example is whip cream, where polysorbate 60 is a common emulsifier to keep the oil and water in whip cream from

separating .

Taste and “mouthfeel”

Additives are normally added, to give a food item it’s taste. For example, sugar is added to give a food its sweetness. This is one of the benefits of additives, because without the additives, the food will taste bland. Additives are also added so as to enhance the wanted texture of a certain food. For example, if you want whipped cream to have a better “mouthfeel”, more Sodium caseinate is added to the food.

Should we be worried about the health risks of food preservatives?

YES

Although food preservatives have many benefits such as:• Preventing the growth of bacteria, fungi and

yeasts

• Maintaining quality of foods

• Maintaining palatability of foods after long periods of time

The dangers outnumber the benefits by more

than 3 times!Can trigger allergies such as skin rashes and asthma (e.g. Benzoates)

Destroys most of nutrients in foods. (e.g. Bromates)

Can give rise to nausea and diarrhea (e.g. Butylates)

Can have diuretic, stimulant properties, triggering occasional heart defects (e.g. caffeine)

Can cause toxic reactions + allergic response, affecting skin, gastrointestinal tract and heart. May cause tumors and bladder cancer. (e.g. saccharin)

Some suspected to cause certain birth defects (e.g. Red Dye 40)

Can cause genetic changes and cancer (e.g. di-glycerides)

Can cause vitamin B6 deficiencies (e.g. caramel)

Can cause high blood pressure, kidney failure, stroke and heart attack. (e.g. Sodium Chloride)

4th point

Find a common food.

Cake and brownies (mix)

Betty Crocker Super Moist

Meijer moist selectSugar, Enriched Bleached Flour (Bleached Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Shortening (Contains Soybean oil).

Meijer moist select

Betty Crocker super moist

Price $1.35 $1.90

Taste 3.8/5(average after

visiting serveral websites where

people vote)

4.9/5 (average after

visiting serveral websites where

people vote)

Nutritional value

Less additives Much more additives