Additives have long been used in our food. Many years ago we used vinegar to preserve things, salt on bacon and sulphur dioxide in wine! However, with the 20th century craze for processed foods the amount of additives we are using has increased dramatically.
There is a European number system for additives known as 'e numbers' and we use these to approve and catagorise the additives that we put in our food. If an additive is not approved for European use it will not be preceded by a number, and is instead referred to only by the number.
A significant amount of controversy surrounds additives. Particularly the effects that they have on children and whether they increase hyperactivity and behavioural problems. A lot of studies have been carried out but not with any real conclusive evidence. However, it can be broadly said that they do produce a negative effect in this regard.
Healthy eating is also a very topical issue at the moment and one that it was appropriate to connect to the use of additives. The food standard agency has produced a colour coded plate called the 'eatwell' plate which is designed to help people make the right portion size choices as well as the actual food that goes on the plate!
Organic farming and food consumption is another related topic which is worth some thought in this regard and on the following few pages you will find more information around these topics.
Read on...