FOOD ADDITIVES
Food additives are any substance not naturally present in a food but added during its preparation and remaining in the finished product. Food additives are all substances added to basic food products. They include anything added during the production, processing, treatment, packaging, transport & storage of a food. Food additives are used to decrease the risk of contamination by certain microbes, maintain and improve nutritional quality, enhance appearance, increase self-life, reduce waste, or contribute to convenience. The PFA gives the definition and list of permissible additives along with the amount permitted. The substance to be used as food additive should be of good grade and must meet the PFA or B-S specifications. With the present degree of urbanization, it would be impossible to maintain food distribution without the processing and packaging with which many additives are involved. The convenience food revolution would not be possible without food additives. PRESERVATI...