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Alternative names
Additives in food; Artificial flavors and colorDefinition Return to top
Food additives are substances that become part of a food product when added (intentionally or unintentionally) during the processing or production of that food.Function Return to top
Food additives serve five main functions:Food Sources Return to top
Intentional or direct food additives are added to foods to produce a desired effect, such as to maintain freshness, improve nutritional quality, assist in processing or preparing food, or make a food more appealing.Side Effects Return to top
The FDA has a list of foods generally recognized as safe (the GRAS list). Many have not undergone any testing, but they are regarded as safe by the scientific community. These substances are put on the GRAS list, which contains approximately 700 items. Examples of some of the items on this list are: guar gum, sugar, salt, and vinegar. The list is evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Safe is defined by Congress as "reasonable certainty that no harm will result from use of an additive." Some substances that are found to be harmful to people or animals may be allowed, but only at the level of 1/100th of the amount that is considered harmful. This margin of safety is a protection for the consumer by limiting the intake of a dangerous substance. For example, some people are allergic to sulfites, and their reaction can be mild or very severe. People with any allergies or food intolerances should always check the ingredient listing (label) for their own protection.
The list of additives has been changed dramatically since the time the government began overseeing its safety. It is still important to gather information about the safety of food additives. The general public is encouraged to inform the FDA of any adverse reactions they experience to maintain data on food additives up to date.
Recommendations Return to top
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) supervise and regulate the use of additives in the products they regulate. However, people who have special diets or intolerances should be careful in selecting products in the grocery store. Update Date: 10/17/2003 Updated by: David Webner, M.D., Sports Medicine Fellow, Crozer-Keystone Family Practice Program, Springfield, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |