Difference between revisions of "Food additive"

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A '''food additive''' is a substance (either natural or artificial) which is not a foodstuff in itself by which is added to food for some technological reason.
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{{TOC right}}
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A '''food additive''' is a substance (either natural or artificial) which is not a foodstuff in itself by which is added to food for some technological reason: exact legal definitions differ between countries.<ref group="note">Specific definitions can be found: for the European Union, Art.&nbsp;3.2(a), [[Food Additives Regulation]] (1333/2008); for Australia and New Zealand, preamble to Standard&nbsp;1.3.1, [[Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code]]; for Canada, s.&nbsp;B.01.001, Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c.&nbsp;870); for the United States, §&nbsp;201(s), [[Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]] [21&nbsp;U.S.C.&nbsp;321(s)].</ref> Food additives may serve a wide variety of purposes, of which colourings and preservatives are among the best known.
  
 
==Numbering==
 
==Numbering==
−
In many countries, but not normally in the United States, food additives are identified by numbers as well as (or even instead of) by name. The International Numbering System (INS) is maintained by the [[Codex Alimentarius Commission]] of the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO). An equivalent system is in use in the European Union, where the INS numbers are prefixed by the letter E: this has led to the colloquial term "E&nbsp;numbers" to refer to food additives in general.
+
In many countries, but not normally in the United States, food additives are identified by numbers as well as (or even instead of) by name. The [[International Numbering System for food additives|International Numbering System]] (INS) is maintained by the [[Codex Alimentarius Commission]] of the [[Food and Agriculture Organization]] (FAO).<ref name="Codex">{{FoodAdd Codex list}}.</ref> An equivalent system is in use in the European Union, where the INS numbers are prefixed by the letter E: this has led to the colloquial term "E&nbsp;numbers" to refer to food additives in general.
  
−
The INS groups additives roughly according to their classification, although this is not always possible: some additives have more than one use and, in any case, almost all of the three-figure numbers in the INS has been used up, so new additives may have to be numbered outside their normal range.
+
The INS groups additives roughly according to their classification, although this is not always possible: some additives have more than one use and, in any case, almost all of the three-figure numbers in the INS has been used up, so new additives may have to be numbered outside their normal range.<ref name="Codex"/>
  
 
==Classification==
 
==Classification==
−
Food additives are classified according to their functional class, which may be divided into subclasses. The most common scheme is that used by the FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission, which has been adopted by many individual countries.
+
Food additives are classified according to their functional class, which may be divided into subclasses. The most common scheme is that used by the FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission,<ref name="Codex"/> which has been adopted by many individual countries.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Functional class
 +
! INS range
 +
! Function
 +
! Subclasses
 +
|-
 +
| [[Colour (food)|Colour]]
 +
| 100–199
 +
| adds or restores colour in a food
 +
| colour, decorative pigment, surface colourant
 +
|-
 +
| [[Preservative]]
 +
| 200–299
 +
| prolongs the shelflife of a food by protecting against deterioration caused by microorganisms
 +
| preservative, antimicrobial preservative, antimycotic agent, bacteriophage control agent, fungistatic agent, antimould and antirope agent, antimicrobial synergist
 +
|-
 +
| Bleaching agent
 +
| [[Sodium metabisulfite|223]]
 +
| used to decolourize food (not including pigments)
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| Carbonating agent
 +
| [[Carbon dioxide|290]]
 +
| used to provide carbonation in a food
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| [[Antioxidant (food)|Antioxidant]]
 +
| 300–319
 +
| prolongs the shelflife of foods by protecting against deterioration caused by oxidation
 +
| antioxidant, antioxidant synergist, antibrowning agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Acidity regulator]]
 +
| 320–399<br/>500–549
 +
| controls the acidity or alkalinity of a food
 +
| acidity regulator, acid, acidifier, alkali, base, buffer, buffering agent, pH adjusting agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Thickener]]
 +
| 400–429
 +
| increases the viscosity of a food
 +
| thickener, bodying agent, binder, texturizing agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Stabilizer (food)|Stabilizer]]
 +
| 430–499
 +
| additive that makes it possible to maintain a uniform dispersion of two or more components
 +
| stabilizer, foam stabilizer, colloidal stabilizer, emulsion stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| [[Emulsifier]]
 +
| 430–499
 +
| forms or maintains a uniform emulsion of two or more phases in a food
 +
| emulsifier, plasticizer, dispersing agent, surface active agent, crystallization inhibitor, density adjustment (flavouring oils in beverages), suspension agent, clouding agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Emulsifying salt]]
 +
| 430–499
 +
| additive, which, in the manufacture of processed food, rearranges proteins in order to prevent fat separation
 +
| emulsifying salt, melding salt
 +
|-
 +
| [[Anticaking agent]]
 +
| 500–599
 +
| reduces the tendency of components of food to adhere to one another
 +
| anticaking agent, anti-stick agent, drying agent, dusting agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Firming agent]]
 +
| 510–580
 +
| makes or keeps tissues of fruit or vegetables firm and crisp, or interacts with gelling agents to produce or strengthen a gel
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| [[Flavour enhancer]]
 +
| 600–699
 +
| enhances the existing taste and/or odour of a food
 +
| flavour enhancer, flavour synergist
 +
|-
 +
| [[Glazing agent]]
 +
| 900–915
 +
| additive that, when applied to the external surface of a food, imparts a shiny appearance or provides a protective coating
 +
| glazing agent, sealing agent, coating agent, surface-finishing agent, polishing agent, film-forming agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Flour treatment agent]]
 +
| 916–930
 +
| additive that is added to flour or dough to improve its baking quality or colour
 +
| flour treatment agent, flour bleaching agent, flour improver, dough conditioner, dough strengthening agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Propellant (food)|Propellant]]
 +
| 940–949
 +
| additive gas that expels a food from a container
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| [[Packaging gas]]
 +
| 940–949
 +
| additive gas that is introduced into a container before, during or after filling with food with the intention to protect the food, for example, from oxidation or spoilage
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sweetener]]
 +
| 950–968
 +
| imparts a sweet taste to a food (other than a mono- or disaccharide sugar)
 +
| sweetener, intense sweetener, bulk sweetener
 +
|-
 +
| [[Foaming agent]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| additive that makes it possible to form or maintain a uniform dispersion of a gaseous phase in a liquid or solid food
 +
| foaming agent, whipping agent, aerating agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Antifoaming agent]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| prevents or reduces foaming
 +
| antifoaming agent, defoaming agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Bulking agent]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| contributes to the bulk of a food without contributing significantly to its available energy value
 +
| bulking agent, filler
 +
|-
 +
| [[Carrier (food)|Carrier]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| used to dissolve, dilute, disperse or otherwise physically modify a food additive or nutrient without altering its function (and without exerting any technological effect itself) in order to facilitate its handling, application or use of the food additive or nutrient
 +
| carrier, carrier solvent, nutrient carrier, diluent for other food additives, encapsulating agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Colour retention agent]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| stabilizes, retains or intensifies the colour of a food
 +
| colour retention agent, colour fixative, colour stabilizer, colour adjunct
 +
|-
 +
| [[Gelling agent]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| gives a food texture through formation of a gel
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| [[Humectant]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| prevents food from drying out by counteracting the effect of a dry atmosphere
 +
| humectant, moisture-retention agent, wetting agent
 +
|-
 +
| [[Raising agent]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| liberates gas and thereby increases the volume of a dough or batter
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
| [[Sequestrant (food)|Sequestrant]]
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
| controls the availability of a cation
 +
| &nbsp;
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
==Regulation==
 
==Regulation==
Line 13: Line 158:
 
*FAO [[Codex Alimentarius Commission]]
 
*FAO [[Codex Alimentarius Commission]]
 
*FAO/WHO [[Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives]] (JECFA)
 
*FAO/WHO [[Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives]] (JECFA)
 +
*[[International Programme on Chemical Safety]] (IPCS)
 +
 +
Depending on the country, food additive regulations usually specify
 +
*which additives are permitted, and/or under what circumstances food additives are permitted;
 +
*which foodstuff may contain which additives: it is common, indeed usual, for different rules to apply to different foodstuffs;
 +
*the maximum quantity of an additive which may be used in a given foodstuff: again, this may vary between foodstuffs;
 +
*any labelling requirements to inform consumers of the presence of food additives.
 +
 +
===European Union===
 +
The European Union is responsible for the authorisation of food additives within the European Economic Area (the 27 EU members states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The relevant legislation has been consolidated into the [[Food Additives Regulation]] (1333/2008),<ref>[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2008:354:0016:01:EN:HTML Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives], ''OJEU'' L354, 31.12.2008, pp&nbsp;16–33.</ref> which came into force on 20&nbsp;January 2010.
 +
 +
===Australia and New Zealand===
 +
Australia and New Zealand have a joint set of food safety regulations, the [[Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code]], which regulates food additive in its Standard&nbsp;1.3.1.
  
−
;European Union
+
===Canada===
−
The European Union is responsible for the authorisation of food additives within the European Economic Area (the 27 EU members states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). There are four main pieces of legislation:
+
Canadian food additive regulations are contained in Division&nbsp;B.16 of the Food and Drug Regulations,<ref>[http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/showtdm/cr/C.R.C.-c.870 Food and Drug Regulations] (C.R.C., c.&nbsp;870).</ref> made under the [[Food and Drugs Act]] (R.S., 1985, c. F-27).
−
*Council Directive 89/107/EEC, of 21 December 1988, on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning food additives authorised for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption, as amended.
 
−
*European Parliament and Council Directive 94/36/EC, of 30 June 1994, on colours for use in foodstuffs.
 
−
*European Parliament and Council Directive 94/35/EC, of 30 June 1994, on sweeteners for use in foodstuffs, as amended.
 
−
*European Parliament and Council Directive 95/2/EC, on food additives other than colours and sweeteners, as amended by Directives 96/85/EC, 98/72/EC and 2001/5/EC.
 
  
−
;Australia and New Zealand
+
===United States===
 +
The power to regulate food additives in the United States comes from the [[Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act]] (FD&C Act) of 1938, codified in Chapter&nbsp;9 (§§&nbsp;301–399) of Title&nbsp;21, [[United States Code]]. The Act is administered by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the detailed regulations are contained in Title&nbsp;21 of the [[Code of Federal Regulations]].
  
−
;United States
+
==Notes and references==
−
[[Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938]] (FD&C Act)
+
===Notes===
 +
{{reflist|group=note}}
  
−
==References==
+
===References===
 +
{{reflist}}
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
 +
{{wikipedia|Food additive}}
 
*[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp Codex Alimentarius Commission]
 
*[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp Codex Alimentarius Commission]
−
**[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/7/CXG_036e.pdf Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36)]
+
**[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/7/CXG_036e.pdf ''Codex'' Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36)]
 
**[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/9/CXA_006e.pdf List of Codex Specifications for Food Additives (CAC/MISC 6)]
 
**[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/9/CXA_006e.pdf List of Codex Specifications for Food Additives (CAC/MISC 6)]
 
**[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/6/cxg_003e.pdf Guidelines for Simple Evaluation of Food Additive Intake (CAC/GL/3)]
 
**[http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/6/cxg_003e.pdf Guidelines for Simple Evaluation of Food Additive Intake (CAC/GL/3)]
 
*[http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/jecfa_index_en.asp FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)]
 
*[http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/agns/jecfa_index_en.asp FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)]
 
**[http://www.inchem.org/pages/jecfa.html JECFA Monographs and Evaluations]
 
**[http://www.inchem.org/pages/jecfa.html JECFA Monographs and Evaluations]
−
*{{EHC|70|name=Principles for the Safety Aassessment of Food Additives and Contaminants in Food}}
+
**[http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/jecfa-additives/search.html Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications] (searchable database)
 +
*{{EHC|70|name=Principles for the Safety Assessment of Food Additives and Contaminants in Food}}
 
*[http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sfp/flav_index_en.html European Commission: Food additives and flavourings]
 
*[http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sfp/flav_index_en.html European Commission: Food additives and flavourings]
 
**[http://www.food.gov.uk/ UK Food Standards Agency]
 
**[http://www.food.gov.uk/ UK Food Standards Agency]
Line 41: Line 200:
 
**[http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/thecode/foodstandardscode/ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code]
 
**[http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/thecode/foodstandardscode/ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code]
 
*[http://www.fda.gov/ U.S. Food and Drug Administration]
 
*[http://www.fda.gov/ U.S. Food and Drug Administration]
−
**[http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/FoodAdditives/FoodAdditiveListings/ucm091048.htm Listing of Food Additive Status Part I]
+
**[http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/FoodAdditives/FoodAdditiveListings/ucm091048.htm Listing of Food Additive Status Part I], [http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/FoodAdditives/ucm191033.htm Part II]
−
**[http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnNavigation.cfm?rpt=eafusListing Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS)]
+
**[http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/fcnNavigation.cfm?rpt=eafusListing Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS)] (searchable database)
 
*[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/addit/index-eng.php Health Canada: Food Additives]
 
*[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/addit/index-eng.php Health Canada: Food Additives]
 
**[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/addit/diction/dict_food-alim_add-eng.php Food Additives Permitted for Use in Canada]
 
**[http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/addit/diction/dict_food-alim_add-eng.php Food Additives Permitted for Use in Canada]

Latest revision as of 06:21, 13 December 2009

A food additive is a substance (either natural or artificial) which is not a foodstuff in itself by which is added to food for some technological reason: exact legal definitions differ between countries.[note 1] Food additives may serve a wide variety of purposes, of which colourings and preservatives are among the best known.

Numbering

In many countries, but not normally in the United States, food additives are identified by numbers as well as (or even instead of) by name. The International Numbering System (INS) is maintained by the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).[1] An equivalent system is in use in the European Union, where the INS numbers are prefixed by the letter E: this has led to the colloquial term "E numbers" to refer to food additives in general.

The INS groups additives roughly according to their classification, although this is not always possible: some additives have more than one use and, in any case, almost all of the three-figure numbers in the INS has been used up, so new additives may have to be numbered outside their normal range.[1]

Classification

Food additives are classified according to their functional class, which may be divided into subclasses. The most common scheme is that used by the FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission,[1] which has been adopted by many individual countries.

Functional class INS range Function Subclasses
Colour 100–199 adds or restores colour in a food colour, decorative pigment, surface colourant
Preservative 200–299 prolongs the shelflife of a food by protecting against deterioration caused by microorganisms preservative, antimicrobial preservative, antimycotic agent, bacteriophage control agent, fungistatic agent, antimould and antirope agent, antimicrobial synergist
Bleaching agent 223 used to decolourize food (not including pigments)  
Carbonating agent 290 used to provide carbonation in a food  
Antioxidant 300–319 prolongs the shelflife of foods by protecting against deterioration caused by oxidation antioxidant, antioxidant synergist, antibrowning agent
Acidity regulator 320–399
500–549 		controls the acidity or alkalinity of a food acidity regulator, acid, acidifier, alkali, base, buffer, buffering agent, pH adjusting agent
Thickener 400–429 increases the viscosity of a food thickener, bodying agent, binder, texturizing agent
Stabilizer 430–499 additive that makes it possible to maintain a uniform dispersion of two or more components stabilizer, foam stabilizer, colloidal stabilizer, emulsion stabilizer
Emulsifier 430–499 forms or maintains a uniform emulsion of two or more phases in a food emulsifier, plasticizer, dispersing agent, surface active agent, crystallization inhibitor, density adjustment (flavouring oils in beverages), suspension agent, clouding agent
Emulsifying salt 430–499 additive, which, in the manufacture of processed food, rearranges proteins in order to prevent fat separation emulsifying salt, melding salt
Anticaking agent 500–599 reduces the tendency of components of food to adhere to one another anticaking agent, anti-stick agent, drying agent, dusting agent
Firming agent 510–580 makes or keeps tissues of fruit or vegetables firm and crisp, or interacts with gelling agents to produce or strengthen a gel  
Flavour enhancer 600–699 enhances the existing taste and/or odour of a food flavour enhancer, flavour synergist
Glazing agent 900–915 additive that, when applied to the external surface of a food, imparts a shiny appearance or provides a protective coating glazing agent, sealing agent, coating agent, surface-finishing agent, polishing agent, film-forming agent
Flour treatment agent 916–930 additive that is added to flour or dough to improve its baking quality or colour flour treatment agent, flour bleaching agent, flour improver, dough conditioner, dough strengthening agent
Propellant 940–949 additive gas that expels a food from a container  
Packaging gas 940–949 additive gas that is introduced into a container before, during or after filling with food with the intention to protect the food, for example, from oxidation or spoilage  
Sweetener 950–968 imparts a sweet taste to a food (other than a mono- or disaccharide sugar) sweetener, intense sweetener, bulk sweetener
Foaming agent   additive that makes it possible to form or maintain a uniform dispersion of a gaseous phase in a liquid or solid food foaming agent, whipping agent, aerating agent
Antifoaming agent   prevents or reduces foaming antifoaming agent, defoaming agent
Bulking agent   contributes to the bulk of a food without contributing significantly to its available energy value bulking agent, filler
Carrier   used to dissolve, dilute, disperse or otherwise physically modify a food additive or nutrient without altering its function (and without exerting any technological effect itself) in order to facilitate its handling, application or use of the food additive or nutrient carrier, carrier solvent, nutrient carrier, diluent for other food additives, encapsulating agent
Colour retention agent   stabilizes, retains or intensifies the colour of a food colour retention agent, colour fixative, colour stabilizer, colour adjunct
Gelling agent   gives a food texture through formation of a gel  
Humectant   prevents food from drying out by counteracting the effect of a dry atmosphere humectant, moisture-retention agent, wetting agent
Raising agent   liberates gas and thereby increases the volume of a dough or batter  
Sequestrant   controls the availability of a cation  

Regulation

Food additives are regulated by law in most indutrialised and many developing countries. The United Nations specialised agencies have no direct role in regulation, although they do publish recommendations and other scientific studies.

Depending on the country, food additive regulations usually specify

  • which additives are permitted, and/or under what circumstances food additives are permitted;
  • which foodstuff may contain which additives: it is common, indeed usual, for different rules to apply to different foodstuffs;
  • the maximum quantity of an additive which may be used in a given foodstuff: again, this may vary between foodstuffs;
  • any labelling requirements to inform consumers of the presence of food additives.

European Union

The European Union is responsible for the authorisation of food additives within the European Economic Area (the 27 EU members states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The relevant legislation has been consolidated into the Food Additives Regulation (1333/2008),[2] which came into force on 20 January 2010.

Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have a joint set of food safety regulations, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which regulates food additive in its Standard 1.3.1.

Canada

Canadian food additive regulations are contained in Division B.16 of the Food and Drug Regulations,[3] made under the Food and Drugs Act (R.S., 1985, c. F-27).

United States

The power to regulate food additives in the United States comes from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) of 1938, codified in Chapter 9 (§§ 301–399) of Title 21, United States Code. The Act is administered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the detailed regulations are contained in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Notes and references

Notes

  1. ↑ Specific definitions can be found: for the European Union, Art. 3.2(a), Food Additives Regulation (1333/2008); for Australia and New Zealand, preamble to Standard 1.3.1, Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code; for Canada, s. B.01.001, Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870); for the United States, § 201(s), Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 321(s)].

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Codex Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives, 7th ed.; Codex Alimentarius Commission, Food and Agriculture Organization, 2009. CAC/GL 36-1989, <http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/7/CXG_036e.pdf>.
  2. ↑ Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives, OJEU L354, 31.12.2008, pp 16–33.
  3. ↑ Food and Drug Regulations (C.R.C., c. 870).

External links

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