Food additives are substances that become part of a food product when the product is processed. These substances can alter a food’s moistness and texture, extend its shelf life, and serve a number of other functions. Food additives may be direct or indirect in nature. Direct food additives are often added during processing to increase nutrients, preserve freshness, and to make the food product more appealing. Indirect food additives are substances that may be found in food during or after processing the food product. These additives are by-products that are not intentionally added to the food and are present in small amounts in the final food product.

Food additives serve a number of functions. They give foods a smooth and consistent texture. Emulsifiers, for example, prevent ...