Food Additives: Flavourings and Colours

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of natural flavourings like salt in processed foods?

To replace the flavour lost during food processing.

How do artificial sweeteners like Aspartame function in low-calorie drinks?

They add flavour without contributing significant calories.

What role do natural colours, such as E160b Annatto, play in food processing?

They replace colour lost during processing.

Why might manufacturers use artificial colours like E110 in their products?

To help consumers identify the flavour of the food. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of preservatives like salt in smoked fish?

To prolong the shelf life of the food. Signup and view all the answers

How does monosodium glutamate (MSG) function as a flavour enhancer?

It stimulates taste buds to intensify the existing flavours in food. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential downside related to the consumption of artificial colours?

They can cause allergic reactions or hyperactivity in some individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason spices like turmeric are used as natural preservatives in foods?

They help prevent spoilage and extend the shelf life of the product. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sorbic acid in food preservation?

Sorbic acid primarily retards microbial growth in food to reduce the risk of food poisoning. Signup and view all the answers

Identify one natural antioxidant and its use in food production.

Vitamin C (E300) is a natural antioxidant used in the production of yams, jellies, and sauces. Signup and view all the answers

Explain why BHA and BHT have been banned in the EU since 2022.

BHA and BHT have been banned in the EU due to safety concerns regarding their use as artificial antioxidants. Signup and view all the answers

What role do emulsifiers play in food products such as mayonnaise?

Emulsifiers help hold immiscible substances, like oil and water, together in a permanent emulsion. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the function of glycerine as a humectant in food.

Glycerine prevents food from drying out, keeping products like chewing gum moist. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using preservatives like benzoic acid in food?

Benzoic acid is used as a preservative to prevent spoilage in foods like colored fruit juices. Signup and view all the answers

What are bulk sweeteners and how do they differ from normal sugar in terms of usage?

Bulk sweeteners are used in similar quantities to normal sugar but metabolise more slowly. Examples include sorbitol, often found in diabetic foods. Signup and view all the answers

How do stabilizers contribute to emulsified products?

Stabilizers help maintain emulsions by increasing the viscosity of the mixture, preventing separation. Signup and view all the answers

What function do modified starches serve in packaged soups and sauces?

Modified starches act as bulking agents or thickeners in packaged soups and sauces. Signup and view all the answers

Discuss the potential health risks associated with intense sweeteners, citing an example.

Intense sweeteners, such as aspartame, can be 200 times sweeter than sugar and may leave a bitter aftertaste. The WHO has classified aspartame as 'possibly carcinogenic' as of July 2023. Signup and view all the answers

What role does xylitol play in diabetic foods, and how does it compare to traditional sugar?

Xylitol is used in diabetic foods as it has a low glycemic index and is 40% less caloric than sugar. It is processed from birch wood and provides sweetness similar to sugar. Signup and view all the answers

Identify the properties of steviol glycosides and their effects on blood glucose levels.

Steviol glycosides are 300 times sweeter than sugar and have negligible effects on blood glucose levels. They are commonly used in flavored waters and fruit juices. Signup and view all the answers

Explain how sugar alcohols like sorbitol are beneficial in low-calorie foods.

Sugar alcohols like sorbitol provide sweetness with fewer calories and a slow metabolism, making them ideal for low-calorie foods like diabetic jams and chocolates. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Food Additives - Flavourings

Natural Flavourings
- Salt: used to season salads and crisps, sprinkled over fruit
- Sugar: commonly used to flavour foods
- Spices (cumin, turmeric): used in Indian chicken curry
- Herbs (oregano, basil): used to season roast chicken
- Vanilla pod: used in vanilla cupcakes
- Benzyl Acetate: used in commercially produced desserts
- Amyl Acetate: used in pear-flavored sweets
- Maltol: used in baked goods, cakes, breads, and low-kcal fizzy drinks
- Artificial Sweeteners (Aspartame): used in low-kcal fizzy drinks
Artificial Flavourings
- Flavour Enhancers:
  - MSG (monosodium glutamate): found in soy sauce, enhances flavour

Food Additives - Colours

Natural Colours
- E160b Annatto: derived from achiote tree, used in cheese, crackers, and gives orange colour to foods
- E150 Caramel: produced by caramelisation of sugar, used in cola drinks and meat rubs, and gives red colour
- E160c Paprika: used to colour foods and gives red colour
- E140 Chlorophyll: used in mint-flavoured sweets, green soft drinks, used to give green colour
- E133 Brilliant Blue:used for colour in cereals, sauces, Fanta, cakes, and cupcakes -E100 Sunsets Yellow: used to colour cereals, cakes, and cupcakes.
Artificial Colours
- Note: derived from Azo dyes, 10% of people show allergic reactions to them.

Food Additives - Preservatives

Natural Preservatives
- Salt: used in smoked fish, pickles, and preserved vegetables
- Vinegar: used to make pickles and chutneys
- Spices (ginger, turmeric): used in pickles, chutneys, and fruit cakes
Artificial Preservatives
- Sorbic Acid E200: used in processed cheese, baked goods, fruit juices, pickles, sauces
- Benzoic Acid E210: used in sausages, frozen chips and fruit juices
- Sulphur Dioxide E220: used in sausages, frozen chips, fruit juices

Food Additives - Antioxidants

Natural Antioxidants
- Vitamin C E300: used to prevent oxidation in jellies and sauces
- Vitamin E E306: used in vegetable oils (sunflower)
Artificial Antioxidants
- BHA E320 (Butylated hydroxyanisole): used in breakfast cereals and other dry goods BANNED in the EU since 2022
- BHT E321 (Butylated hydroxytoluene).Used in hot dogs, breakfast cereals, processed meats ,crisps, and stock cubes, BANNED in the EU since 2022

Food Additives - Sweeteners

Bulk Sweeteners
- Sorbitol: used in diabetic foods(e.g diabetic jams, chocolates) and sugar-free chewing gum. It takes time for the body to metabolize it.
- Xylitol: used in sugar-free chewing gum and sugar-free mints
Intense Sweeteners
- Aspartame E951: used in low-calorie fizzy drinks and some confectionery (e.g. Diet Coke), it is a very strong sweetener
- Steviol Glycosides E960: used in flavoured water, fruit juices, and some food items (e.g. fruit juices).

Food Additives - Physical Conditioning Agents

Emulsifiers
- Lecithin (egg yolk), GMS (glycerol monostearate) hold immiscible substances together temporarily.
Stabilisers
- Helps maintain emulsions and prevents separation of oil mixtures.
Humectants
- Glycerine: used in chewing gum, fondant, and icing to prevent drying out.
Modified Starch
- Used as bulking agents and thickeners in foods such as sauces and soups.
Polyphosphates
- Anti-caking agents: prevent clumping in foods such as gravy powder
- Increase water holding capacity: meat appears larger in size

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Description

Explore the world of food additives with this quiz focused on natural and artificial flavourings and colours. Learn about common ingredients like herbs, spices, and synthetic additives while discovering their applications in various culinary dishes. Test your knowledge on how these additives enhance the taste and appearance of foods.