Not to be confused with food supplement.

Substances added intentionally to foodstuffs to perform certain technological functions, for example to colour, to sweeten or to help preserve foods. In the European Union all food additives are identified by an E number. The most common additives to appear on food labels are antioxidants (to prevent deterioration caused by oxidation), colours, emulsifiers, stabilisers, gelling agents and thickeners, preservatives and sweeteners.