Food Additives

Prevent food spoilage

Sweeteners

Keep oily and watery ingredients from separating

<p>Compounds from a food's wrapper or container that enter food during packaging, transportation, or storage; no purpose</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Generally Recognized as Safe list</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Provide evidence of the substance's safety to the FDA</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Prohibits adding a new compound that causes cancer at any level of intake</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Replace nutrients lost during processing, boost levels of nutrients naturally in food</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Enhance natural colors, provide color to colorless and 'fun' foods</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hyperactivity or learning disabilities in children</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Delaney Clause is a law that bans any food additive that causes cancer, regardless of the amount. The Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 established a new safety standard of 'a reasonable certainty of no harm' for pesticide residues in foods, which does not apply to food additives, but allows some exceptions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Food additives are intentionally added to food, while biological or physical contaminants are substances that accidentally enter food during processing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The guidelines establish the permitted amounts of naturally occurring, unavoidable substances such as dirt and insect parts in foods, which are not harmful when consumed in minute amounts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Examples include lead, cadmium, mercury, benzene, and polychlorinated biphenols.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pesticide residue tolerances set limits on the amount of pesticide residues allowed in or on food, and they are regulated by the EPA to ensure safe use of pesticides.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Act prohibits the distribution of adulterated food containing objectionable and unsanitary material, but permits very small amounts of unavoidable, naturally occurring substances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Examples include insecticides (insects), rodenticides (mice and rats), herbicides (weeds), and fungicides (fungi and mold).</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The action levels allow for the presence of minor, unavoidable contaminants in food, while still protecting consumers from harmful substances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Intentional food additives are substances deliberately added to food, while unintentional food contaminants are substances that accidentally enter food during processing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Testing well water for toxic substances helps ensure its safety for human consumption, and individuals who rely on privately owned wells are responsible for testing the water routinely.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The agency can limit the amount of a pesticide that is applied on crops, restrict the frequency or location of the pesticide's application, or require the substance be used only by specially trained, certified persons.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Integrated pest management (IPM) involves using a variety of methods for controlling pests while limiting damage to the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Biologically based pesticides are substances that use natural methods to control pests, such as sex hormones (pheromones) that attract pesky insects to predators or traps and viruses that infect insects and weeds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The EWG's produce list serves as a consumer's guide for making decisions regarding which produce to purchase based on the amount of pesticide residues present.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Pesticides help protect the food supply and make food crops available at reasonable cost.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>If a pesticide is applied improperly to cropland, it may remain in the soil, be taken up by plant roots, decompose to other compounds, or enter groundwater and waterways.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The potential harmful effects of a pesticide in food depend on the particular chemical, how effectively the body can eliminate it, its concentration in the food, how much and how often it is eaten, and the consumer's vulnerability to the substance.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fruits and vegetables grown without the use of most pesticides are available and may bear an 'organic' label.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The EPA sets pesticide tolerances, which are the maximum amounts of pesticide residues that can be in or on each treated food crop.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The EPA focuses on promoting nonchemical pest management techniques and sets pesticide tolerances, regulates the application of pesticides, and promotes safer alternatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Direct food additives are intentionally added to food products to enhance their quality, safety, or aesthetic appeal. Examples include antioxidants, color additives, and preservatives. Indirect food additives, on the other hand, are substances that unintentionally enter food products during processing, packaging, transportation, or storage. An example of an indirect additive is a pesticide residue that remains on fruits or vegetables after washing.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Antioxidant additives prevent undesirable changes in food products by inhibiting the reaction of oxygen with enzymes that are naturally present in certain foods. This prevents the formation of off-flavors, colors, and textures. An example of a specific antioxidant additive is vitamin E, which is commonly used in nuts and seeds to prevent rancidity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary purpose of adding preservatives to food products is to prevent the growth of microorganisms that can cause spoilage and foodborne illness. An example of a specific preservative additive is sodium benzoate, which is commonly used in jams, jellies, and beverages to inhibit the growth of mold and yeast.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list is a compilation of food additives that are deemed safe for human consumption by the FDA. The Delaney Clause, on the other hand, prohibits the use of any food additive that has been shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. These regulations impact the use of food additives by ensuring that only safe and approved substances are used in food products, thus protecting public health.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Common indirect food additives include pesticide residues, heavy metals, and environmental pollutants. These substances can enter the food supply through various means, such as agricultural runoff, contaminated soil and water, and industrial pollution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Integrated pest management (IPM) is an approach that combines physical, cultural, biological, and chemical controls to manage pests in a holistic and sustainable manner. IPM is relevant to food production because it helps reduce the use of chemical pesticides, minimizes environmental impact, and promotes a safer and more sustainable food supply.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The primary function of color additives is to enhance the aesthetic appeal of food products by providing a desired color or hue. An example of a specific color additive is beta-carotene, which is used to impart a yellow or orange color to foods such as margarine and cheese.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Sulfites, as a type of antioxidant additive, prevent undesirable changes in food products by inhibiting the reaction of oxygen with enzymes that are naturally present in certain foods. This prevents the formation of off-flavors, colors, and textures. An example of a specific product that contains sulfites is dried fruit, which may contain sulfite preservatives to prevent browning or spoilage.</p> Signup and view all the answers