(NOT FINISHED!) Technological developments to support better health and food production

What are some advantages of fortification?

• Increases nutrient content

• Reduces nutrient deficiency

• Can replace nutrients lost during food processing

What are additives?

Additives that are added to food during manufacturing or processing to improve their quality

What are the three types of additive?

• Natural

• Nature identical (synthetic)

• Artificial

What is a natural additive?

An additive that can be obtained from natural sources

What is a nature identical (synthetic) additive?

An additive that has been made to be chemically the same as certain natural materials

What is an artificial additive?

An additive that are synthetic compounds that do not occur in nature

What are the 7 types of additives?

1. Preservatives

2. Antioxidants

3. Colours

4. Flavourings and flavour enhancers

5. Sweeteners

6. Emulsifiers and stablilisers

7. Thickeners and gelling agents

What is the function of preservatives additives?

• Extend the shelf life of foods

• Prevent the growth of micro-organisms

What is the function of antioxidants additives?

• Helps to prevent fat becoming rancid

• Prevent some food from becoming brown

What is the function of colours additives?

• Replace colour lost during heat treatment

• Improve colours in foods

What is the function of flavourings and flavour enhancers additives?

• Make the flavour in food stronger

• Replace flavours lost in processing

What are the two types of sweeteners and their functions?

1. Intense sweeteners: Very sweet and used in low calorie drinks

2. Bulk sweeteners: Similar to sugar in sweetness, used in sugar-free confectionery and diabetic preserves

What is the function of emulsifiers and stabilisers additives?

Help to mix together ingredients like oil and water that would normally separate

What is the function of thickeners and gelling agents additives?

• Prevent sauces separating, produce thickened sauces with the addition of hot water and no further heating required

• Gelling agents are used to create smooth, set textures in products to stabilise mixtures

What are some advantages of using additives for the manufacturer?

1. Can be used in a wide rage of food products

2. Improves a specific characteristic

3. Produces expected qualities in foods

4. Maintains product consistency in production

5. Prevents food spoilage