A substance added to food for a technological purpose, permitted and regulated under Standard 1.3.1 of the Food Standards Code.
A substance added to food for a technological purpose, permitted and regulated under Standard 1.3.1 of the Food Standards Code. A food additive is a substance not normally consumed as a food in itself that is intentionally added to food to perform a technological function, such as colouring, preserving, thickening, emulsifying, sweetening or raising. In Australia food additives are regulated under Standard 1.3.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which lists the additives permitted, the foods they may be used in and any maximum levels. An additive may only be used if it is permitted for that food, serves a genuine technological purpose and is used at the lowest level needed to achieve that purpose. Permitted additives are identified by a name and an international code number, and when used they must be declared in the ingredient list by their class name together with the specific name or code number, so consumers can see what has been added and why. For a manufacturer, using a food additive means checking Standard 1.3.1 to confirm the additive is permitted in that food, that it is being used for an accepted technological function, and that any maximum level is not exceeded. The additive then has to be declared correctly in the ingredient list, typically as its class name followed by the code number or specific name. Because additive rules are specific to each food category, businesses reformulating or launching products commonly cross-check every additive against the permissions in the Code and confirm supplier-provided ingredients do not carry additives that are not allowed in the final food. Getting a permission or declaration wrong is a labelling and compliance issue that can lead to corrective action. A soft drink manufacturer wanting to use a colour and a preservative checks Standard 1.3.1 to confirm both are permitted in soft drinks and within the maximum levels, then declares them in the ingredient list by class name and code number, for example colour (a code) and preservative (a code), so the additions are transparent to consumers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a food additive?
It is a substance added to food to perform a technological function such as colouring, preserving, thickening or sweetening, rather than being eaten as a food on its own.
Which standard regulates food additives?
Standard 1.3.1 of the Food Standards Code lists the permitted additives, the foods they can be used in and any maximum permitted levels.
Can any additive be used in any food?
No. An additive may only be used where it is permitted for that food, serves a genuine technological purpose and is used at the lowest level needed to achieve it.
How are additives shown on the label?
They are declared in the ingredient list by their class name together with either the specific name or an approved code number.
Are code numbers a sign of something unsafe?
No. A code number simply identifies a permitted additive that has been assessed for its use, and it must still meet the conditions in Standard 1.3.1.
