Generally, the usage of a food additive should be limited to minimum amounts required to achieve its intended technological effects. Additives should not be used for such purpose to conceal and disquise the quality of raw materials or unsanitary processes during food manufacturing processes.
Maximum use level is the highest concentration of the additives determined to be functionally effective for use in foods and safe to eat. The maximum use level is generally expressed as "mg additives per kg of food".
The primary objective of establishing maximum use levels in various foods is to ensure that the intake of an additive for all its uses does not exceed ADI(Acceptable Daily Intake) based on the national food consumption pattern. Some of the food additives listed as GRAS(Generally Recognized As Safe) can be used without any restriction and regarded as safe for general uses.