What are common examples of food additives?

Food additives are substances added to food to enhance its flavor, appearance, shelf-life, and overall quality. Common examples of food additives include preservatives and colorants.

Preservatives are chemicals used to prevent spoilage and extend the shelf-life of food by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeasts, thereby maintaining food safety and quality. Common preservatives include sodium benzoate and sorbic acid.

Colorants, on the other hand, are used to enhance or restore the color of food products, making them more visually appealing. Examples include artificial dyes, such as Red 40 or Yellow 5, which are used in various processed foods.

Natural flavors and spices, while they enhance flavor, are generally considered to be part of the food's natural ingredients rather than additives in the same regulatory sense. Vitamins and minerals are often added to fortify foods, but they are not typically categorized as additives in the same way preservatives and colorants are. Fresh herbs and vegetables are whole foods rather than additives, as they do not undergo the same processing or synthetic modification as food additives do.