Definition & Meaning of "food additive"

What is a "food additive"?

A food additive is a substance added to food during processing or production to improve its flavor, texture, appearance, or shelf life, or to enhance its nutritional value. Food additives serve various purposes, such as preserving freshness, preventing spoilage, enhancing color or flavor, and improving texture or consistency. Examples of food additives include preservatives, flavor enhancers, sweeteners, colorings, emulsifiers, and thickeners. Food additives undergo rigorous safety evaluations before they are approved for use in food products, and they are regulated by government agencies to ensure they are safe for consumption at specified levels.