Food Additives and Food Toxins

Flashcards covering definitions and key concepts related to food additives and food toxins, based on lecture notes.

Food Additives

Ingredients added to improve and preserve foods, addressing consumer expectations for flavorful, nutritious, safe, convenient, colorful, and affordable foods.

Toxicology Maxim

The principle stating that the effect of a substance depends on the quantity, often summarized as 'The dose makes the poison'.

No Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL)

The level at which a substance has no observable negative impact.

Mycotoxins

Toxins produced by fungi or molds, often found in storage fungi on cereals and oilseeds; aflatoxins are a common example.

Aflatoxins

Highly carcinogenic toxins produced by Aspergillus flavus, discovered in the 1960s due to widespread poisoning of turkeys fed toxic peanut meal.

Food Additive (Definition)

Any substance that becomes a component of food, affecting its characteristics, excluding pesticides, color additives, and substances with prior sanction.

Food Additives (Alternate Definition)

Chemical masses or mixtures added to food to preserve, correct, or prevent undesirable changes without being consumed alone or as a main component.

NOAEL (in Food Additives)

The highest amount of a substance that shows no toxic effect in experimental animals during their lifetime.

Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)

Daily consumption amount that shows no toxic effect, even with daily use throughout life.

LD50

Amount of a substance that causes death in half of the test subjects.

GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe)

Term for substances generally recognized as safe for use in food.

Intentional Additives

Ingredients intentionally added to foods to aid in processing, act as preservatives, or improve the quality of food.

Preservatives

Substances that slow product spoilage from mold, air, bacteria, fungi, or yeast; antioxidants are a key type.

Classification of Food Additives

Additives classified by intended use, function, or the E numbering system.

Additives that extend shelf life

Regulate acidity, act as antimicrobial agents, and function as antioxidants.

Additives that improve sensory properties

Regulate texture, enhance visual appeal, provide color, and enhance flavor.