Food additives are substances that can not be consumed alone as a food, can not be used as raw material of food products, have/not have nutritional value alone, are used during process, packing and storing of the food products to preserve or improve the flavor, odor, structure, appearance or color of the product.

Food additieves are used in food products for several aims. Some of the aims are;

• Preserving food quality and extend shelf life (Preservatives). These are antimicrobial like nitrites, benzoic acid, sorbic acid, sulphur dioxide and antioxidants like BHA, BHT, propyl gallat.
• Developing cooking and preparation property of the food product. These are pH regulators like acetic acid, propionic acid, calcium carbonate; anti-coagulants like magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate and silicon dioxide; emulsifiers like lecithin, mono and diglycerides; stabilizators and thickeners like calcium acetate,  calcium carbonate.
• Developing aroma, flavor and color. These are aroma materials; flavoring agents like MSG (Mono sodium glutamate); coloring agents like curcumine, carotene; artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharine, acesulfam K, neohesperidine DC

If we consider that millions of people consume the food products that include food additives, a minor mistake will cause major  problems on human health. That is why food additive using permission is given as a result of hard research of international health authorities.

As a first step the effects and dose of additives are examined on cavy. For this aim, mice, rat are used as cavy. The probable toxic effect of the additive are researched by using several doses. The unit of dose is mg/kg.

The events that occur from taking the additive to the buddy to discharge are called ADME. The combination of first letters of Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion.

Chief toxicity tests are as below;

• Acute toxicity
• Chronic toxicity
• Mutagenic effect
• Carcinogenic effect
• Teratogenic effect
• Trans placental carcinogenic effect
• Immunotoxic effect
• Fertility
• Neurotoxic effect

The toxicity test results are evaluated by scientific committees and quantitative limits for safety usage are determined. The first level is No Observed Adverse Effect Level-NOEL. This mean that 70-80% of cavy in-took tested food additive and any side effect was not observed wit NOEL dose(mg/kg).
To find Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), NOEL dose is divided to safety factor. Generally, safety factor is determined as 100.

ADI (mg/kg) = NOEL / Safety Factor (100)

You can find ADI values of some additives by this link http://jecfa.ilsi.org/search.cfm

• Fructose May Cause Memory Problems
• Bisphenol-A (BPA) Is Banned In Baby Bottles In Minnesota
• Chemical Dangers In Food Products
• Phthalates, A Packaging Chemical, May Cause Childhood Obesity
• Methyl Yellow In Curry