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This article is from the Food Science FAQ, bypking123@sympatico.ca (Paul E. J. King) with numerous contributions by others.

1. Why are food additives used?

Many foods depend on additives for safety, stability or
preservation. Preservatives inhibit growth of microbes that cause
food poisoning. Ham and bacon would be highly dangerous without the
preservative that also gives them their characteristic colour.
Freedom from separation, or a smooth creamy texture depends on
emulsifiers. Without other kinds of additives many foods would look
less pleasant, or taste less pleasant, or go off more quickly, or
cost more.

 

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