1. What Are Food Additives?

Food additives are substances added to food to improve flavor, color, texture, or shelf life. They’ve been around for centuries — think salt for curing meat or vinegar for pickling. Today, additives include both natural and synthetic ingredients used for specific functions.

Main types of additives include:

• Preservatives: Prevent spoilage from bacteria or mold.

• Colorants: Make food look appealing or consistent.

• Flavour enhancers: Boost taste (like MSG).

• Emulsifiers and stabilizers: Keep ingredients from separating (like in salad dressing).

• Sweeteners: Add sweetness without sugar.

2. Why Preservatives Are Used

Preservatives extend the shelf life of foods and keep them safe to eat. Without them, many products would spoil before reaching your fridge. Common preservatives include:

• Sodium benzoate – used in acidic foods like soft drinks or pickles.

• Sorbic acid and potassium sorbate – prevent mold in cheese and baked goods.

• Nitrates/nitrites – used in cured meats to prevent bacterial growth and preserve color.

While most are considered safe in small amounts, processed meats with nitrates are linked to higher cancer risk when eaten frequently, so moderation matters.

3. The Safety Question

Before any additive can be used in food, it must be approved by regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They set Acceptable Daily Intakes (ADI) — the amount considered safe to consume each day over a lifetime.

In other words, occasional consumption of additive-containing foods is fine. Problems arise with a diet heavy in ultra-processed foods where many additives build up together.

4. Additives to Watch For

Some people are more sensitive to certain additives. Common culprits include:

• Artificial colorings (E102, E110, E129): Linked to hyperactivity in some children.

• MSG (monosodium glutamate): Safe for most, but can trigger headaches in sensitive people.

• Sulphites (E220–E228): Can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, especially asthmatics.

5. How to Minimize Additives Naturally

You don’t need to avoid all additives, but you can easily cut back:

• Cook more meals from fresh ingredients.

• Choose foods with short, simple ingredient lists.

• Avoid bright-colored, highly processed snacks.

• Opt for “no added preservatives” or “minimally processed” options when possible.