Tag: Synthetic food additives

According to the World Health Organization, thousands of food additives exist, designed to serve specific functions in food production. Artificial additives are a prominent category within these substances, used to enhance and preserve many modern processed food products.

Food manufacturers use the emulsifier E472e, also known as DATEM, to improve texture and extend shelf life in many baked goods. Despite its source materials sometimes originating from plants or animals, a complex chemical process is involved, leading to the question: is E472e considered a natural ingredient?.

While calcium propionate occurs naturally in certain fermented foods like Swiss cheese, the version predominantly used in commercial food production is synthetic. This organic salt, commonly labeled as E282, is a highly effective preservative that extends the shelf life of various products by inhibiting mold and bacterial growth.