Food additive as auxiliary ingredients can be directly or indirectly become the food ingredients, but does not affect food characteristics, is free of contaminants is not to improve food nutrition for the purpose of the material. China's" hygiene standards for use of food additives" will be divided into 22 categories: preservatives, antioxidants, chromogenic agent, bleaching agent, sour agent, coagulant, osteoporosis agent, thickening agent, defoaming agent, sweeteners, coloring agent, emulsifier, quality improver, anti-caking agent, flavoring agents, enzyme preparation, coating agent, foaming agents, preservatives, spices, nutrition enhancer, other additives.

In order to ensure the correct use of food additives in food, in general, its use should follow the following principle: 1 by the toxicological assessment on food safety of proof, in its use of limited long-term use of safe. 2 food does not affect their sensory properties and physicochemical indexes of nutritional components, without damage to the role of. 3 food additives should be the people's Republic of China Ministry of Health issued and approved the implementation of the use of health standard and quality standard of. 4 food additives in the application should have clear inspection method. 5 the use of food additives is not able to conceal food spoilage or adulterated, forged for the purpose of. 6 may not operate and use no health permits, product inspection and polluted food additives. 7 food additives in a certain purpose, can be processed, cooking or storage is destroyed or removed, not intake in humans is secure.