food additive

additive  (n.)

Main Entry: ²additive
Function: noun
: a substance added to another in relatively small amounts to effect a desired change in properties; especially : an agent added to a foodstuff to improve color, flavor, texture, or keeping qualities

additive ad·di·tive (ād'ĭ-tĭv)
n.
A substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it.

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ad'di·tive adj.

additive   (ād'ĭ-tĭv)  Pronunciation Key  Noun   A substance added in small amounts to something else to improve, strengthen, or otherwise alter it. Additives are used for a variety of reasons. They are added to food, for example, to enhance taste or color or to prevent spoilage. They are added to gasoline to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, and to plastics to enhance molding capability. Adjective   Relating to the production of color by the mixing of light rays of varying wavelengths. ◇ The additive primaries red, green, and blue are those colors whose wavelengths can be mixed in different proportions to produce all other spectral colors. Compare subtractive. See Note at color. Mathematics Marked by, produced by, or involving addition.

food additive

any of various chemical substances added to foods to produce specific desirable effects. Additives such as salt, spices, and sulfites have been used since ancient times to preserve foods and make them more palatable. With the increased processing of foods in the 20th century, there came a need for both the greater use of and new types of food additives. Many modern products, such as low-calorie, snack, and ready-to-eat convenience foods, would not be possible without food additives.

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