What is meant by Additives?
The term "additives" refers to substances added to food or other products to enhance properties like shelf life, texture, color, or taste. These substances, often labeled with E-numbers, are legally regulated and must meet specific safety and quality standards. The management and monitoring of additives are particularly important in the food industry to comply with legal requirements and ensure consumer safety.
Typical software functions in the area of "additives":
- Additive Management: Recording and managing all used additives, including their functions and legal restrictions.
- Compliance Check: Ensuring compliance with national and international regulations, such as permissible amounts and applications.
- Labeling Support: Creating and verifying labels to accurately and transparently display additives.
- Risk Assessment and Analysis: Evaluating additives for health risks and potential allergens.
- Ingredient and Recipe Management: Managing additives in recipes and ingredient lists for accurate representation and traceability.
- Reporting and Audit Preparation: Creating reports and documentation on additive usage for internal and external audits.
- Automated Update of Regulatory Changes: Automatically integrating and notifying of legal changes and their impact on additives.
Examples of "additives":
- E300 (Ascorbic Acid): Used as an antioxidant to extend shelf life.
- E330 (Citric Acid): Used for acidification and flavor enhancement in various foods.
- E471 (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids): Used as an emulsifier to improve product consistency.
- E951 (Aspartame): An artificial sweetener used in sugar-free foods.
- E160a (Beta-Carotene): Used as a coloring agent to make products more visually appealing.