Additives

The use of any additives other than artificial flavorings is controlled by law. All have to be proved to be safe, effective and necessary before they can be used. If an additive as been approved by all the Countries within the European Union it is an E number which must appear on the packaging of foods containing it. Many consumer fears about additives stem from an inability to understand them, but the fact that additives have EU approval should b a reassurance. All though it is know that some people do react to some E numbers\additives. To help here is a list of additives explaining Y’s and what 4’s

PRESERVATIVES
Additives	Found In	What They Do
Nitrites & Nitrates (E249-52) Benzoic acid & benzoates (E210-19)	Processed mats, such as sausages, bacon and ham, Smoked fish.Soft Drinks, beer, Salad Cream	Protect food from fungi and bacteria, along with extending shelf-life. Nitrites and sulphur dioxide also act as colour preservatives in meats ad dried fruits. In rare instances sulphur compounds may trigger allergic reactions, such as Asthma. Nitrites convert to potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. Ascorbic acid prevents fruit juice from turning brown and fatty foods from becoming rancid. It is also used to improve the baking quality of wheat
Sulphur dioxide & sulphites (E220-28)	Dried Fruit, desiccated coconut, fruit based pie fillings, relishes.
Antioxidants Ascorbic acid/ascorbates (E300-4)	Fruit juices, fruit jams, tinned fruit.
BHA/BHT (E320-21)	Foods where rancidity in fats needs to be prevented, such as crisps, biscuits and fruit pies
COLOURINGS
Tartrazine (E102) Quinoline yellow (E104) Sunset Yellow (E110) Beetroot Red (E162) Caramel (E150)	Many processed foods, especially sweets, confectionery, squashes and other soft drinks, jams. Margarine, biscuits and cakes.	Makes food look more appetising and meet expectations of what people expect certain foods to look like. Some may cause allergic reactions such as wheeziness in asthmatics and hyperactivity in sensitive people, especially children