Additives, when used in food, are present in very low quantities
The use of additives is not required for some types of food, such as, for example, frozen, dehydrated, canned, products, ready-to-eat packed vegetables, among others. Among the products that use it, the types and quantities of additives present vary significantly.
When used, it is required to respect the maximum limits in which they can be present in processed food and beverage. These limits follow strict standards established by means of toxicological studies, that is, studies that investigate whether an ingredient can cause any toxic or adverse effect after being consumed by humans.
The total number of additives listed in the label does not represent if they are in large quantities in grams. On the contrary, food additives are incorporated to food in very small quantities, much lower than the safety limits for human consumption.
Check the data about additives in industrialized food to learn more:
- The studies conducted by Ital, about the content of ingredients stated in the labels of many industrialized products, show that the use of additives vary according to the type of product and the manufacturer.
- In Brazil, the Decree no. No. 540 – SVS/MS, from October 27th, 1997, regulates and establishes the fundamental principles to use additives in food
Bread
In 2019, Ital and ABIMAPI conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 70 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. The additives observed in the sample were: preservatives, emulsifiers, thickeners/stabilizers, flour enhancers, acidulants and flavorings.
Cookies
in 2020, Ital and ABIMAPI conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 243 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. The study identified various additives in cookies; however, not all of them are present in all the products: emulsifiers/stabilizers (used in 223 products), aromas (in 219 products), flour enhancer (em 94 products), acidulants/acidity regulator (em 69 products), dyes (in 63 products), anti-moisturizers (in 14 products), preservatives (in 5 products), thickeners (in 4 products), moisturizers (in 3 products).
Cakes
In 2021, Ital and ABIMAPI conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 210 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in cakes; however, not all of them are present in all the products: aromas/flavoring (8.6% of the products do not use), dyes (88.1% do not use), emulsifiers/thickeners/stabilizers (13.3% do not use), anti-moisturizers and moisturizers (41.9% do not use), acidity regulators (72.4% do not use).
Doughs
In 2021, Ital and ABIMAPI conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 269 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in 269 samples of doughs; however, not all of them are present in all the products: antioxidants (97.8% of the products do not use), acidity regulators (88.1% do not use), emulsifiers/thickeners/stabilizers (84.4% do not use), preservatives (82.5% do not use), dyes (41.2% do not use).
Pizzas
In 2020, Ital and ABIA conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 56 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in the sample of 56 pizzas; however, not all of them are present in all the products: aromas/flavoring (94.3% do not use), dyes (92.5% do not use), thickeners/emulsifiers/stabilizers (71.7% do not use).
Yogurt
In 2020, Ital and Viva Lácteos conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 150 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in the sample of 150 yogurts; however, not all of them are present in all the products: emulsifiers (149 products do not use), acidity regulators (142 products do not use), acidulants (86 products do not use), dyes (74 products do not use), aromas;flavorings (50 products do not use), thickeners (42 products do not use).
Plant-Based beverages
In 2022, Ital and Good Food Institute conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 178 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in 162 plant-based beverages; however, not all of them are present in all the products: preservatives (95.7% do not use), dyes (91.4% do not use), antioxidants (84.4% products do not use), acidulants/acidity regulators (64.8% do not use), aromas;flavoring (35.2% do not use).
Juices and other non-carbonated beverages
In 2020, Ital and ABIR conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 217 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in 217 samples of juice and other non-carbonated juices; however, not all of them are present in all the products: sequestrants (97.7% do not use), anti-foaming (95.9% do not use), dyes (87.1% do not use), thickeners/stabilizers (79.7% do not use), acidulants/acidity regulators (59.9% do not use), antioxidants (51.2% of the products do not use), aromas/flavorings (47.0% do not use).
Ice creams
In 2021, Ital and ABIS conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 180 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in the sample of 180 ice creams; however, not all of them are present in all the products: dyes (80 products do not use); aromas/flavoring (30 products do not use), emulsifier (16 products do not use), thickeners (9 products do not use).
Hamburgers
In 2021, Ital and ABIA conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 90 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in 90 samples of hamburgers; however, not all of them are present in all the products: acidulants/acidity regulators (97.8% do not use), flavor enhancers (78.9% do not use), dyes (72.24% do not use), antioxidants (65.6% do not use), aromas/flavorings (51.10% do not use); thickeners/stabilizers (45.6% do not use).
Chocolates
In 2022, Ital and ABICAB conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 483 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study identified various additives in the sample of 483 chocolates; however, not all of them are present in all the products: antioxidants (99.6% do not use), preservatives (98.1% do not use), dyes (95.2% do not use); aromas/flavoring (33.1% do not use); emulsifiers/thickeners/stabilizers (19.3% do not use).
Peanut
In 2022, Ital and ABICAB conducted a study about nutrients and ingredients of 416 products marketed in Brazil, obtaining the following results. Ital study has identified 416 peanut products, however, they are not present in all the products: dyes (93.3% do not use), antioxidants (89.9% do not use), preservatives (87.1% do not use), aromas/flavorings (78.2% do not use), emulsifiers/thickeners/stabilizers (74.5% do not use).
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