Food additives

Food can ‘go off’ when it is exposed to oxygen.

What can we do to preserve our apple?

In an investigation an apple was sliced and subjected to different preservation methods. The apple was checked after one hour to see what had happened.

Method of preservation What the apple looked likeJust left on the side Really brownPlaced in the fridge Slightly brown

Placed in carbon dioxide No browning occurred

What do the results tell you about the browning of an apple?

The more oxygen that the apple is exposed to, the browner it becomes. When there is NO oxygen, no browning occurred.

E Number Additive What the additive does? Example

E1… colours Improve appearance Caramel (E150)

E2… preservatives Improve shelf-life (help food to keep longer)

Sodium Benzoate (E211)

E3… antioxidants Prevent reactions with oxygen

Vitamin C (E300)

E4… emulsifiers Improve texture Pectin (E440)

E5… acidity regulators Control pH/Improve taste Potassium Carbonate (E501)

E6… flavourings Improve taste Monosodium Glutamate (E621)

ADDITIVES

COLOURINGS

ANTIOXIDANTS

FLAVOURINGS

These stop food reacting with oxygen

These are given E numbers

These enhance the flavour

These change the colour of food

Sugar can cause:

• Increased weight• Fatigue

• Tooth decay• Increase hyperactivity

Make him aggressive

Additives

E110, E104, E102