44 Questions
What do food additives with numbers ranging from 400 to 499 primarily function as?
Thickeners, vegetable gums, emulsifiers, stabilizers, humectants
What is the primary function of emulsifiers in food?
To mix or blend two or more liquids that wouldn't normally mix
What classification of food additives includes glazing agents, bleaching agents, and artificial sweeteners?
900-999
What is the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of a food additive?
The maximum amount of a food additive that can be consumed daily without health risk
What type of food additive is used to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life?
Preservatives
What is the primary function of antioxidants in food?
To prevent oxidation and spoilage
What organization established the classification system for food additives?
Codex Alimentarius
What is the purpose of food additive regulations?
To ensure food safety and protect public health
What is the purpose of sweeteners as food additives?
To provide sweet taste or mimic flavors
What is the abbreviation for 'Generally Recognized As Safe'?
GRAS
What is the primary function of emulsifiers as food additives?
To improve texture and stability
What is the name of the committee responsible for regulating food additives at the international level?
JECFA
What is the purpose of flavor enhancers as food additives?
To enhance the taste and aroma of food
What is the purpose of aromatic substances as food additives?
To provide a new aroma to food and beverages
What is the E-number system used for in the EU?
To label food additives on packaging
What is the primary function of antioxidants as food additives?
To preserve food and extend shelf life
What is the primary purpose of adding additives to food?
To purposely incorporate for techno-functional purposes
What is the primary function of emulsifiers in food products?
To stabilize mixtures of oil and water
What is the primary basis for classifying food additives?
Their techno-functional purpose
What is the primary function of antioxidants in food products?
To prevent spoilage and preserve the food
What is the primary purpose of the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) in food additive regulations?
To ensure the safe consumption of additives
Which of the following regulations is responsible for governing the use of food additives in the US?
FDA's 21 CFR 170.3 and 21 CFR 170.30
What is the primary function of antioxidants in food?
To prevent oxidation and rancidity
What type of food additives are used to prevent deterioration caused by microorganisms?
Preservatives
What is the function of coloring agents in food?
To modify or stabilize the color of food
What is the primary function of antioxidants as food additives?
To prevent spoilage and extend shelf life
What is the primary function of sweeteners as food additives?
To increase the sweetness of food
What is the purpose of flavor enhancers as food additives?
To enhance flavors and aromas
Which of the following is an example of a natural antioxidant?
Tocopherols
What is the primary function of coloring agents as food additives?
To add colors to food products
What is the purpose of sweeteners as food additives?
To provide a sweet taste
What type of food additives are used to enhance the flavor of food?
Flavor Enhancers
What is the primary function of thickeners in food?
To improve the texture of food
Which of the following is an example of an artificial sweetener?
Saccharin
What is the purpose of preservatives as food additives?
To prevent spoilage and extend shelf life
Which of the following is an example of a synthetic antioxidant?
BHA
What is the acronym for 'Generally Recognized As Safe'?
GRAS
What is the primary function of aromatic substances as food additives?
To enhance flavors and aromas
What is the primary purpose of general recognition of safety through scientific procedures?
To apply generally available and accepted scientific data and principles
Which of the following food additives are used to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life?
Preservatives
What is the primary function of anticaking agents in food?
To prevent caking
What is the primary purpose of cryoprotectants in fish and fishery products?
To prevent freezer burn
What is the primary function of emulsifiers in sauces?
To stabilize mixtures of oil and water
What is the primary consideration in determining the functional need of a food additive?
The intended use of the additive
Study Notes
Food Additives
- Food additives are substances intentionally added to food for techno-functional purposes, not normally consumed by themselves.
- They are regulated by government bodies, but highly industry-driven.
GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe)
- GRAS is a status for food additives that are considered safe through scientific procedures or common use in food before 1958.
- Under 21 CFR 170.30(b), general recognition of safety through scientific procedures requires the same quantity and quality of scientific evidence as is required to obtain approval of the substance as a food additive.
- GRAS is based on generally available and accepted scientific data, information, or methods, which may be corroborated by unpublished scientific data.
Classification of Food Additives
- In the EU, food additives are classified using the E-number system, with ranges for different types of additives:
- 100-199: Coloring agents
- 200-299: Mainly preservatives
- 300-399: Mainly antioxidants and food acids
- 400-499: Thickeners, vegetable gums, emulsifiers, stabilizers, humectants
- 500-599: Mineral salts, flour treatment agents, anti-caking agents, acidity regulators, color retention agents
- 600-699: Flavor enhancers
- 900-999: Glazing agents, bleaching agents, artificial sweeteners
Types of Food Additives
- Flavor enhancers: substances that enhance the taste and/or aroma of a food without giving its own flavor (e.g. Monosodium glutamate)
- Sweeteners: additives used to provide sweet taste or mimic flavors (e.g. natural: Xylitol, Isomalt; artificial: Saccharin, Sucralose, Aspartame)
- Aromatic substances: substances that provide a new aroma and/or correct the aroma of food and beverages (e.g. hops in beer)
Regulation of Food Additives
- Main bodies responsible for regulating additives are the Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) at the European level and the FAO/WHO Committee of experts on food additives (JECFA) at the international level.
- All food additives used in a product should appear on food labels.
- Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is an estimate of the amount of a food additive that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
Food Additives
- Food additives are substances added to food for technological or functional purposes, not normally consumed by themselves.
- Main bodies responsible for regulating additives: Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) at the European level and the FAO/WHO Committee of experts on food additives (JECFA) at the international level.
Types of Additives
- Coloring agents: modify or stabilize the coloring characteristics of a food (e.g. carotene, chlorophyll, FDA-approved certifiable colors, Titanium dioxide (E171)).
- Flavor enhancers: enhance the taste and/or aroma of a food without giving its own flavor (e.g. Monosodium glutamate).
- Sweeteners: provide a sweet taste or mimic flavors (e.g. Natural: Xylitol-E967, isomalt-E953; Artificial: saccharin-E954, sucralose-E955, aspartame).
- Aromatic substances: provide a new aroma and/or correct the aroma of food and beverages (e.g. hops in beer).
Stabilizers of Physical Characteristics
- Emulsifiers: allow the maintenance or formation of a homogeneous mixture of two or more non-miscible phases (e.g. carrageenan, guar gum, lecithin E322).
- Thickeners: preserve the textures of foods (e.g. E-406 (agar-agar) for jam preservation).
- Anti-caking agents: prevent the formation of clumps or lumps that affect product homogeneity (e.g. Silicon Dioxide E551, magnesium trisilicate, stearates of Ca and Mg, flour, starch).
Inhibitors of Chemical and Biological Alterations
- Antioxidants: delay or prevent the rancidity of foods due to oxidation (e.g. Tocopherols (E-306), Ascorbic acid (E-300), BHA (E-320), BHT (E-321)).
- Conservatives: protect food against deterioration caused by unwanted microorganisms (e.g. used in bakery, pastries, dairy, beverages, or meat products).
GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe)
- Definition: a substance that is intentionally added to food is a food additive, unless it is generally recognized as safe among qualified experts.
- Regulation: under sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the Act).
Learn about the regulations and requirements for food additives and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substances in the US. Understand the scientific procedures and experience-based approaches to determine safety.
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