FOOD ADDITIVES

Food additive

• Food additive is any substance that is added to food in small

quantities to preserve or improve its flavour and appearance.

Uses of food additives

To make food last longer (to extend the shelf life)
To make foods taste better and look better

Types of food additives Effects on health

Preservatives: sodium Allergy: MSG

nitrite, sodium benzoate Carcinogenic: NaNO₂
Antioxidant: ascorbic acid Brain damage
Flavouring: Monosodium Hyperactivity
glutamate(MSG), aspartame
Stabiliser and thickener:
gelatin and acacia gum
Dye: azo compounds,
triphenyl compounds Functions of food additives

Preservatives: to inhibit or prevent the

growth of moulds, yeast and bacteria that
spoil foods
Antioxidants: to prevent spoilage of food
due to oxidation by oxygen
Flavouring agents: to enhance the taste of
food
Stabilisers and thickeners: to improve the
texture of foods
Colouring agents: to restore the colour or
to enhance the natural colour
The rationale for the use of food additives.

• To make sure that certain food remains edible throughout the

year.
• A considerable number of food is harvested seasonally. In such
cases preservatives are added to make sure that they do not
get spoilt, and remains edible after along time.
• Additives such as vitamins B, C, and D, and minerals such as
iron is added to improve the nutritional value of foods which
may be destroyed during food processing.
• Food additives are used as an artificial sweeteners for diabetic
patients.
• Food additives such as potassium iodide in table salt is used to
reduce the incidence of goiter.
• The use of food additives such as vitamin C in fruit juices
prevents scurvy, vitamin D in milk and vitamin A in margarine
prevent rickets.
The effects of food additives on health and the environment.

• Additives in food should be limited. This is because all the

additives used are chemicals, and over a long period of time
they may have adverse effects in our body. Moreover, no
 additive has been proven to be 100% safe. Scientific
knowledge should be applied in the management of food
additives.
Example:
o The excessive use of the flavouring agent monosodium
glutamate (MSG) is harmful, because it causes headaches,
poor vision and dries up the throat, giving rise to unnatural
thirst.
o Food additives such as sodium sulphite, MSG and some
food colours can cause allergic reactions in some people.
o Food additives such as sodium nitrate is carcinogen.
o The excessive intake of nitrites over a long period can
cause brain damage.
o Food additives such as tartrazine can cause hyperactivity.

The functions of food label.

• To let the consumers know about the nutrient content, food
additives used, expiry date, halal or non-halal, whether
containing any permitted or prohibited chemicals or whether
the food is good or bad for health.

Life without food additives.

• Food spoilage occurs. Food supplies will be reduced and there
will be food shortage around the world.
• Deficiency of vitamins and minerals in foods because the
nutritional value of foods may be destroyed during food
processing.
• Malnutrition happens especially among the younger
generation due to the loss of appetite because foods do not
look attractive, do not taste delicious or smell good.

Medicine
 Drugs

 Chemical compounds that are used as medicine to heal any sort

of ailment is known as drugs

Traditional medicines

 Traditional medicines are derived from mostly different types of

plant parts or animal parts. They are generally less harmful over
a long period of time when compared to drugs.

Examples of traditional medicine and their uses.

 PlantLocal nameUsesAloe veraLidah buayaSap used to
relieved pain from burnsBetelSirehLeaves relieved sore
eyesBitter gourdPeriaFruit used to cure
diabetesCoconutKelapaYoung coconut water reduces
feverGarlicBawang putihReduces infection and
hypertensionGingerHaliaReduces inflammation and
improves blood circulation and
digestionGinsengGinsengRoots maintain good
healthHibiscusBunga RayaLeaves relieves headache and
hair lossTurmericKunyitCures pimples

The types of modern medicine, their examples and functions.

Type of modern medicineFunctionExamplesAnalgesicsRelieve

painAspirin, paracetamolAntibioticsKill or inhibit
growth of infectious bacteriaPenicillin,
streptomycinPsychotherapeutic medicinesControl
symptoms of mental illnessStimulants,
antidepressants
Side effects of medicines

• Both traditional and modern medicines have side effects

• Some traditional medicines help people lose their weight by
speeding up their metabolism. The side effects are an increase in
blood pressure and heart rate
• Birth control pills are an example of modern medicine. Women
who use them experience side effects such as hypertension,
acne, and abnormal bleeding.

Correct ways of using medicines

• Use the correct amount or dosage and using it for the correct
purpose
• For example, using antibiotics to treat infections caused by
viruses is drug misuse. This is because antibiotics have no effect
on viruses.
• Drug abuse is using drug for its intoxicating effect. For example,
the use of Morphine, Viagra and ecstasy pills.

The significance of chemicals in the world today and its side effects.

• Chemical have become an integral part of today’s lifestyle.

Each and every toiletry, cosmetic, or food that we use or
consume is some way or the other related to chemicals. From
the moment we get up from bed, the toothpaste we use to
brush our teeth, the soap, the shampoo and detergent that we
 use and the breakfast cereal that we eat have some form of
chemical or other.
• However, chemicals are not 100% organic friendly. For this
reason, before eating preserved food we should think whether
we can possibly replace it with some other organic food, or
while using cosmetics or toiletries, we should choose the ones
that have reduced chemicals.
• A life without chemicals is impossible. Hence, it is up to us to
use them wisely and sparingly.
NAMA : NUR FARAH ATHIRAH BINTI RODZI
NO. MAKTAB : 409/050
GURU : PUAN SURIA