Preface

There is an exponential use of food additives, especially processed food, due to the impressive world population growth, changes in lifestyle patterns and demand for high-quality standards including nutritious, safe, colourful, flavourful, affordable and convenient food. Although it is common to add additives to food, it is highly controversial due to the relation of some additives to adverse health effects. This is especially relevant concerning synthetic additives.

This book assesses food additives to be a valuable tool for their rational and safe use. It provides insight into the impact of food additives on human health in the light of recent scientific information. This book is a valuable instrument for researchers, health professionals, students, laypeople, industry and government regulatory agencies.

The book is composed of 16 chapters. Chapters 1 and 2 give out an introduction to food additives. Chapter 1 is dedicated to the background of food additives and their advantages and drawbacks and chapter 2 focuses on Human Health implications of specific groups of food additives. Chapters 3 to 13 are related to different sub-groups of food additives, including preservatives (antibrowning agents, antioxidant agents, antimicrobials and essential oils), natural and synthetic colouring agents, flavouring agents (flavour enhancers, flavours and sweeteners), emulsifiers, stabilisers and indirect additives. When possible, chapters 3 to 13 include information on the intended use of the sub-group of food additives, physicochemical properties of the main representatives of the group, legislation, origin/synthesis, maximum levels, toxicological data and positive/adverse health effects.

Chapter 14 is dedicated to the relation of food additives to adverse health effects, including allergic and immunologic reactions, asthma, autoimmune diseases, cancer, diabetes, hyperkinesis and cardiovascular diseases. Chapter 15 addressed technologies applied to functional foods and food ingredients. Finally, the controversies on food additives are discussed in chapter 16 and foresight is presented.

We are aware of other food additives that could have been addressed, like nutritional additives. We look forward to this edition being well received and that in the future, other food additives can be addressed.

Ana Sanches Silva and Seyed Mohammad Nabavi on behalf of all co-editors.