Food Additive

A substance intentionally added to food during processing, preparation, packaging, transport, or storage to serve a specific technological function (e.g. preservation, thickening, colouring, flavouring, acidity regulation). Food additives are regulated under the Codex Alimentarius General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) and by national authorities — FSSAI in India, EFSA in the EU, FDA in the USA. Each additive is assigned an INS number (international) or E-number (EU).