The Role of Additives in Processed Food, Shelf Life and Health

Food is consumed in a solid, semi solid and liquid form so that humans ingest to receive nutritional advantages. Food additives, which are organic chemicals used in minute quantities during food processing and manufacture, are essential for maintaining and prolonging the shelf life of processed foods and also to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Generally, the preservatives can be categorized in to Chemical and Natural preservatives. Edible oils, sugar, salt, and honey etc., come under natural preservatives, whereas benzoates, sorbates, nitrites, nitrates sulphites, glutamates et., comes under chemical preservatives. Food preservation is essential for extending the shelf life and improving processed food quality. This review research paper aims to offer a comprehensive examination of the state of knowledge on role of additives in preservation of food.