A Study on Development profile of safety for Food Additives

Abstract

The value of food additive production has doubled from 2005 through 2012, due to the increase in demand for processed or instant food as the national diet changed. Even though food additives have to undergo complete safety evaluation to be used in food, there is a prevalent misconception that food additives are harmful to health. Consumers need to be informed promptly with accurate information in order to correct such misconception and to make appropriate decisions. This study aims to develop a safety profile textbook for experts that contains integrated database of food additives. A safety profile for 205 controversial food additives were created based on the research result of the expert’s focus group. A database was developed for these additives after reviewed by the experts in relevant fields, such as toxicity. The database includes comprehensive information such as, the general characteristics, toxicity, safety characteristics, monitoring results, domestic and foreign management status, usage, research trend, accidents and media report, and consumer information of the each food additives. With use of this database, the experts can respond promptly to food additive related safety incidences to inform consumers with accurate safety information. A search function was added to the database to increase its utility and promotional proposals for industry and consumers were drafted using the database