Novel Foods: Foods which are manufactured from ingredients not normally used for food.

Novel FoodsQuorn is a novel food made from myco-protein.

Quorn is low in fat and high in protein.

What are food additives?Processed foods often contain a very small amount of ingredients called additives which are added to:

• Extend the shelf life (the length of time the food is safe to eat)

• Improve the colour

• Improve the texture

• Improve the flavour

• Improve the smell

• Improve the consistency (thickness)

• Increase nutritional value

What are food additives?Food additives can be natural or synthetic (chemical).

Natural example = salt & acids such as vinegar or lemon juice.

Chemical example = saccharin or aspartame which are sweeteners (add sweetness).

1. What are additives?

2. Give at least 3 reasons why additives might be used.

3. What are the 2 different types of food additives?

4. Give an example.

PreservativesUsed to:• Prevent decay• Make food safe to eat for longer periods (increase

shelf life)

Used in:BaconSausagesCooked meatPies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uHxRwQqWFo&feature=related

Antioxidants (cake experiment)Used to:• Prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid.

Used in:Products that include fat such asCakesBiscuitsPastries

ColouringsUsed to:• Add colour to products.

Used in:SweetsYoghurtsDessertsTinned peasSoups

FlavouringsUsed to:• Add flavour to products.

Used in:Ice creamChocolate mousseYoghurtsCrispsSoft drinks

Flavour EnhancersUsed to:• Give more intense flavour to foods.

Used in:MeatReady-made mealsCook-in sauces

Fact:Sweeteners (such as saacharin) give a sweeter flavour than sugar and can be used in ‘sugar-free’ products.

EmulsifiersUsed to:• Mix water and oil together in a stable solution.• Prevent separation.

Used in:Salad dressingsMayonnaiseLow fat spreads

StabilisersPrevent separation like emulsifiers, used in many products such as cook-in sauces & yoghurts.

Nutritional SupplementsAdded to enrich foods. For example:•Vitamins A & D added to margarine.•Calcium is added (by law!) to white bread.•Iron is added to some cereals.•Vitamin C is added to fruit juice.

Should we worry about food additives?All additives that are permitted have been tested by the Food Standards Agency before being approved for use by food manufacturers.

Once they have been tested, permitted additives are registered and given an E number, which means they can be used in countries in the European Union.

5. What are permitted additives?

6. What does the E in E number mean?

7. Describe how additives give the consumer greater choice when shopping for food…