Finding the additives

UNDERSTANDING YOUR FOOD<br /> the ultimate educational resource<br /> TEACHER NOTES<br /> <br /> teachers’ notes I 6.1<br /> I6. Finding the additives<br /> Pupils read the information and answer the questions.<br /> To answer Q9, pupils may need access to some information about food<br /> additives. You may wish to supply the pupils’ sheet I4What can be added<br /> to the food you buy?and the E number lists, page 30.<br /> Answers to Pupil activity sheet I6<br /> 1. water<br /> 2. flavourings<br /> 3. 12 substances are present in smaller quantities than salt; 3 of garlic,<br /> basil, oregano, green peppers, modified starch, tartaric acid, colours<br /> (caramel and copper chlorophyll), lemon juice, stabiliser (xanthan<br /> gum), antioxidant (BHA), flavourings.<br /> 4. At first glance, there don't appear to be any because the letter 'E' and<br /> numbers are not present. Some pupils are likely to be 'suspicious'<br /> about some of the ingredients.<br /> All the additives appear after salt.<br /> 5. They must be present in very small quantities.<br /> 6. 2 months after purchase, assuming it has not been opened.<br /> 7. Not very long! A few days only and certainly not 2 months.<br /> 8. Xanthan gum is an effective stabiliser and suspending agent<br /> for water based foods such as salad dressings.<br /> You may like to ask pupils to think about why the bought dressing will<br /> stay fresh for 2 months.<br /> Answer: The packaging prevents the entry of microorganisms. The<br /> antioxidant delays the oil from going rancid.<br /> KS3<br /> science and food technology<br /> Timing - 15 - 20 minutes<br /> Pupil activity sheet I6 accompanies<br /> this activity.<br /> <br /> FINDING THE ADDITIVES pupil activity I6<br /> This is the label from the packet of a vinaigrette salad dressing.<br /> VINAIGRETTE SALAD DRESSING<br /> INGREDIENTS<br /> WATER, SOYA OIL, VINEGAR, MUSTARD, SUGAR, PARSLEY, CORIANDER,<br /> WHITE W INE, SALT, GARLIC, BASIL, OREGANO, GREEN PEPPERS, MODIFIED<br /> STARCH, TARTARIC ACID, COLOURS (CARAMEL AND COPPER<br /> CHLOROPHYLL), LEMON JUICE, ST ABILISER (XANTHAN GUM), ANTIOXIDANT<br /> (BHA), FLAVOURINGS<br /> STORAGE<br /> BEST BEFORE- 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE.<br /> DO NOT FREEZE; KEEP REFRIGERATED AFTER OPENING.<br /> 1. What is the ingredient present in the largest amount?<br /> 2.What is the ingredient present in the smallest amount?<br /> 3.How many ingredients are present in smaller quantities than salt?<br /> Write down 3 of them.<br /> 4.Are there any additives in this food? At first glance, there are no E-numbers, but<br /> the following additives are present:<br /> tartaric acidE334<br /> copper chlorophyllE141<br /> BHA-Butylated hydroxyanisoleE320<br /> caramelE150<br /> xanthan gumE415<br /> Flavourings: do not have to be listed individually<br /> Modified starch:modified starches are food additives but they do not have to be<br /> listed individually<br /> Find these again on the table. Do they appear before or after salt?<br /> 5. What does this tell you about them?<br /> 6. How long after buying this food would it still be safe to eat?<br /> 7.Imagine you made a similar dressing at home using only ingredients that you can<br /> buy easily. How long, approximately, would you expect it to stay fresh?<br /> 8.Find out what job/function xanthan gum (E415) has in this food.