Explain the benefits of food additives.
In theory, additives are supposed to be safe. However, they can provoke allergic reactions in some children. Foods which contain the highest amounts of additives are sweets, savoury snacks, desserts and snack bars. Some of the most common additives in foods which you should look out for on labels are:
Colourings: Tartrazine (E102) Sunset Yellow (E110) Carmoisine (E122) Ponceau 4R (E124)
Preservatives: Sodium Benzoate (E221)
Non-nutrient foods
We now know that the body requires nutrients which provide the body with energy and which help us to grow. It is also important we need to consume some food and drinks
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Alcohol is a toxin and acts as a depressant. Alcohol contains high quantities of sugar and is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach and the small intestine and then sent around the body. Alcohol is carried to the brain through the blood. Too much alcohol can impair judgment and affect coordination.
Flavours and Colours – most foods have colours and flavours added to them in an attempt to make them look and taste better. All food colourings and flavourings have to go through an approval process to ensure that they are safe to use in the European Union and they will carry a letter ’E’ along with a number. Although approved, many ‘E’ numbers have been linked to various problems in children such as hyperactivity and asthma.
Source: Online Learning Study Materials
Additives are substances added to food during manufacturing and packaging process to enhance their shelf life, texture, colour and taste. We are told that additives are harmful to our health. But there are some advantages of food additives.
Although there may be a few ill effects of additives and preservatives in food, they increase the shelf life and help keep the flavour, colour and texture. They also help conserve or extend the nutritional worth of