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Additives and Preservatives

An additive is substance that is added to foods by manufacturers in order to avoid spoilage or to increase the appearance, taste, texture, or nutritive value of the food or drink. The most common food additives are flavorings, sweeteners, and colorings [1]. The purpose of a food preservative is to prevent spoilage of the product. Food preservation is done for several reasons, these reasons include: preserving the natural characteristics of food, protecting the appearance of food, and increase shelf live for storage. Most common types of preservatives include: boiling, freezing, refrigeration, pasteurizing, dehydrating, adding sugar, mineral salt, and salt, nuclear radiation, and modified packaging techniques [9].

There are some alternatives ways for consumers to avoid additives and preservatives. In order to steer clear from the adverse effects of additives, a consumer should consider to buy local foods from farmers markets nearby their home. Also, it may be a good idea to consider growing your own produce in a garden. If you still choose to buy from your grocer, it is important to eat seasonally and buy organic. Buying organic eliminates pesticide usage on any food. Another thing consumers should look for is long ingredient lists. A long ingredient list is a clear sign that the product contains preservatives. Additionally, buying less processed foods will eliminate additive and preservative consumption.


 * __What are the types of additives and preservatives? __**


 * __What are the positives and negatives of additives and preservatives? __**


 * __Federal Drug Administration's view points and worldly monitorization __**

=**Statistics**=

"More than 3000 additives and preservatives are available in the market, which are used as antioxidants and anti-microbial agents" [11]

"A survey by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries found that 89% to 99% of all fresh fruit, cereals, and vegetables are sprayed with pesticides" [12] "Out of the 49,752 new product launches around the world, 4,178 had the ‘no additives/ preservatives’ claim" [13] "Intake of high fructose corn syrup has increased 1000% between 1970 and 1990" [14] "Obesity has increased 23 to 30% due to increase use of high fructose corn syrup" [14] "With the use of additives, it's increased the risk of type 2 diabetes" [14]

Citations:

1. (2009). Food additives. //Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition//, 1. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 2. //Advantages of Food Additives//. (2006, March 22). Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/FoodAdd/foodadditiveadv.htm. 3. //Avoiding Food Additives and Perservatices//. (2002). Retrieved October 15, 2010, from www.essortment.com/all/foodadditivesp_rser.htm. 4. //Center for Science in the Public Interest//. Retrieved from http://www.cspinet.org/reports/chemcuisine.htm#safety_summary. 5. //Food additives//. (2006, June). Retrieved from []- additives/. 6. //Food additives-current community legislation//. (2009, August 4). Retrieved from  []. 7. //Food ingredients and colors//. (2004, November). Retrieved October 8, 2010, from []. 8. //Food preservation - scientific principles, historical methods of preservation, thermal processes, packaging, chemical additives, irradiation//. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http://science.jrank.org/pages/2814/Food-Preservation.html. 9. //Food preservatives.// Retrieved from http://www.foodadditivesworld.com/preservatives.html. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">10. Roberts, A. (2010, March 14). //The Advantages of Food Perservatives//. Retrieved October 15, 2010, from http://www.ehow.com/list_6073710_advantages-food-preservatives.html. // 11. No additives or preservatives lead label claims: Mintel //. (2008, September 23). Retrieved November 21, 2010, from Food Navigator.com : http://www.foodnavigator.com/Financial-Industry/No-additives-or-preservatives-lead-label-claims-Mintel // 12. Top 20 food additives to avoid //. (n.d.). Retrieved November 21, 2010, from http://altmedangel.com/additive.htm 13. //Dangers of food additives and preservatives//. (2010, September 11). Retrieved November 21, 2010, from Articlesbase : http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/dangers-of-food-additives-and-preservatives-3249121.html 14. //High Fructose Corn Syrup: Is It To Blame For The Obesity Epidemic?// (2010). Retrieved November 21, 2010, from The Healthier Life: http://www.thehealthierlife.co.uk/natural-health-articles/weight-loss/high-fructose-corn-syrup-obesity-00986.html