Table 3. Food additive classification system

No Use Definition
1 Sweetener Provides sweetness to food.
2 Anticaking agent Prevents or reduces particles in food from adhering or forming lumps.
3 Antifoaming agent Prevents or reduces the formation of foam in food.
4 Gum base A non-nutritive chewing substance with appropriate viscosity and elasticity.
5 Flour treatment agent Added to flour or dough to improve baking quality or color.
6 Color fixative (color developer) Stabilizes, maintains, or enhances the color of food.
7 Preservative Prevents quality deterioration caused by microorganisms and extends shelf life.
8 Propellant Gas used to expel food from its container.
9 Acidity regulator Controls the acidity or alkalinity of food.
10 Antioxidant Prevents quality deterioration of food due to oxidation.
11 Sterilizing agent Rapidly kills microorganisms on the surface of food.
12 Humectant Prevents food from drying out.
13 Stabilizer Maintains a uniform dispersion of two or more components.
14 Filtration aid Removes impurities or fine particles by adsorption.
15 Nutrient fortifier Maintains nutritional quality, restores lost nutrients, or enhances nutrition.
16 Emulsifier Mixes two or more immiscible phases uniformly.
17 Release agent (antisticking agent) Prevents raw materials from adhering to containers to maintain food shape.
18 Coagulant Binds or coagulates food components, maintains the texture of fruits and vegetables.
19 Processing aid Used in food processing as catalysts, precipitants, clarifiers, or decomposers.
20 Gelling agent Forms gels to impart texture or structure to food.
21 Thickener Increases the viscosity of food.
22 Coloring agent Imparts or restores color to food.
23 Extraction solvent Used to extract or dissolve useful substances.
24 Filling gas Gas injected into packaging containers to protect food.
25 Leavening agent Releases gas to increase the volume of dough.
26 Bleaching agent Removes or lightens color in food.
27 Surface finishing agent Smooths or refines the surface of food.
28 Coating agent (glazing agent) Adds gloss or forms a protective film on the surface of food.
29 Flavoring agent Provides characteristic aroma or restores original flavor lost during processing.
30 Flavor enhancer Enhances or intensifies the taste or flavor of food.
31 Enzyme preparation Induces or catalyzes specific biochemical reactions.
Based on the data from MFDS (2017).