C1b - Food Additives

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C1b - Food Additives

• Types of food additives
• E-numbers
• Emulsifiers and Antioxidants
• Active packaging

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Types of Additives
Food additives are chemicals added to food to
improve or enhance it.
Food colours Make the food look more attractive
Antioxidants Slows down food going off by slowing down the reaction with oxygen
Emulsifiers Keeps ingredients thoroughly mixed
Flavour Improve the flavour of the food
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E-Numbers
Some additives have been approved for use in the
EU. These additives have E-numbers. The E-number
tells us what the additive is used for.
E100 199 Food colours
E200 299 Preservatives
E300 399 Antioxidants
E400 499 Emulsifiers
E600 - 699 Flavourings
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Emulsifiers
Oil and water do not mix
Emulsifiers keep them mixed together in
mayonnaise.
An emulsifier molecule has two parts.
The hydrophilic head bonds to water
molecules. The hydrophobic tail bonds to the oil
molecules. This prevents oils molecules from
joining together.
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Active Packaging
Active packaging can be used to improve the
safety or quality of food.

• Examples
• Wrapping in plastic film keeps out oxygen and
  water which keeps the food crisp
• Some packaging removes water to stop food inside
  going off

Antioxidants are added to some foods or packaging
to stop them reacting with oxygen.