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What are the four general categories of food additives?
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food additive
Labels provide information on a food product's ingredients and nutritional value.
There are four general categories of food additives:
- Nutritional additives: Substances added to improve or maintain the nutritional value of food products.1
- Processing agents: A variety of substances used to aid in the manufacturing process or to maintain the desired consistency and quality of a product, such as emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners.12
- Preservatives: Chemical substances used to prevent or retard spoilage caused by factors like oxidation or the growth of mold and bacteria.13
- Sensory agents: Additives used to enhance the aesthetic or palatable qualities of food, such as food coloring or flavoring agents.13
These classifications are not strictly exclusive, as many additives may serve multiple functions within a food product.1