Food additives are natural or synthetic chemicals added to food to preserve flavor, enhance its texture or appearance, or for other technological functions. Food additives are among the safest chemicals in food due to their low toxicity, rigorous safety testing, and control of use by the law. The permission to use specific food additives is recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and approved by national legislation. The use of food additives is subject to strict controls, underpinned by scientific studies to demonstrate their safety to human health. Their use brings many benefits including increased safety, and greater choice of food products.
This general article on food additives provides an overview of the issues associated with food additives and their safety. Several food additives that may be considered as controversial are examined.