Lesson 3: Benefits and Risks of Additives factors of scientific literacy and foundational objectives, learning objectives, Science 10 Bibliography
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What are the benefits and risks of using food additives?

There must be a good reason for using food additves. Some benefit should be known about the food additive in use. For example, by including a food additve perhaps the food has a longer shelf life or a more pleasing color.

Food additives also have their risks. Some food additives are known to be carcinogens, others cause hyperactivity while still others have been known to cause migraine headaches.

When developing the acceptance of a food additive, the additive must undergo a variety of tests. If the additive passes these tests, then the additive will be allowed or belong on the list of permitted food additives. The major concern is that the food additive is safe. If the additive is determined to be a hazard then further testing may be done to establish quantity or the additive will be rejected or banned.

Check out this site for more information on the benefits and risks of food additives.

Activity

Search the internet to find sites that specialize in food additives. Make a list of 10 food additives, record what benefit they give and the known risks of that food additive. Arrange this information in a table format.Record the internet site addresses at the bottom of your table. Color code your information so that the information from a site and the site name are written in the same color of type.

Name of food additive Benefit(s) Risk(s)
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Internet sites used:

  • site 1
  • site 2
  • site 3

Assignment

Exchange food additives lists developed in your activity section with 3 other classmates. Add to your list any different additives, their benefits and risks that are different from the ones you collected on your own. For similar food additives, ensure that your benefits and risks match with those recorded by your classmate. Try to get a large list of food additves, their benefits and risks.

Assessment

Your activity and assignment will be scored out 20 marks. Your mark will be based on your collection of food additives:

  • number of food additives in the list (10)
  • accurate benefits and risks (10)

A comprehensive list of food additives, purposes and risks can be found at this site:

http://www.cnn.com/FOOD/resources/food.for.thought/additives/table.html