Science revision (B1, C1, P1)

Food additives

Chemistry revision

Natural and artificial additives are put in food. Additives improve the quality or shelf life of food.

Additives make food last longer, taste better and look nicer:

• Sweets and soft drinks often use food colours because they make them look nicer.
• Mushy peas contain a green dye so therefore do not use food colouring.
• Bought chocolate cake mixes, on the other hand, will contain brown food colouring because of the lack of food colouring.
• When foods flavours are enhanced it brings out their smell and taste. It does this without adding a taste of their own. 
• Food flavours are commonly found in packet foods and ready meals.
• Antioxidants help to preserve food.
• Emulsifiers help oil and water blend together in foods like ice cream.

Antioxidants stop foods reacting with oxygen:

• When some foods are exposed and react with the oxygen they will go off. Antioxidants prevent this from happening.
• In some food's the fat…