Lisanduste

Lisanduste (additives) are substances added to foods, medicines, cosmetics and other products to achieve specific effects that are not part of the primary recipe. In foods, they are used to preserve freshness, improve flavor or color, alter texture, or aid processing. Additives can be natural or synthetic, and many have been widely used for decades.

Common categories in food include colorants (to restore or enhance appearance), preservatives (to prevent spoilage and microbial growth), antioxidants (to slow oxidation), flavor enhancers (to intensify taste), emulsifiers and stabilizers (to improve texture and prevent separation), thickeners and gelling agents (to adjust viscosity), leavening agents (to help baked goods rise), and humectants (to retain moisture). In other sectors, additives include cosmetic preservatives, pharmaceutical excipients, and industrial stabilizers or lubricants.

Regulation is designed to ensure safety and accurate labeling. In the European Union, many food additives receive approval through safety assessments and are assigned E numbers (for example E100–E199 for colors). Manufacturers must adhere to maximum usage levels, and labels must list additives present in a product. Regulators monitor adverse effects and may restrict or ban substances if new evidence arises.

Safety and public perception vary by additive. Most approved additives are considered safe at permitted levels, but some individuals may experience sensitivities or reactions, such as sulfite allergies or intolerance to certain synthetic colors. Ongoing research and transparent labeling help consumers make informed choices, including seeking “clean label” products with fewer or natural additives.

This is a concise overview of lisanduste (additives) as used in modern consumer products, emphasizing their purposes, regulation, and safety considerations.