For example, vitamins and minerals are added to many common foods like milk, flour, cereal, and margarine to make up for those likely to be lacking in a person's diet or lost in food processing. These can include spices, flavor enhancers, natural and synthetic flavors, and sweeteners. Using food additives enables manufacturers to produce and distribute convenience foods with increased shelf lives and decreased waste. Stabilizers and preservatives make it possible to ship a wide variety of foods all over the world. Nutrient supplementation and enrichment, such as adding iodine to salt, help the nutritional status of those who might not otherwise obtain certain nutrients.
Food additives increase the availability, quality, and safety of foods while keeping costs low.
These amendments include the Delaney Clause which prohibits the approval of an additive if it is shown to cause cancer in humans or animals. Before using a new food or color additive, a manufacturer must petition the FDA for approval. As part of the petition, the manufacturer must prove that the additive does what it is intended to do, and is not harmful to humans at the expected level of consumption. The FDA determines, based on the best scientific data available, if the additive is safe under the proposed conditions of use. After approving a new additive, government officials monitor consumption and keep track of any new research on its safety.