Wiktionary
n. Any non-food substance added to food in order to improve its flavour, appearance or shelf life
WordNet
n. an additive to food intended to improve its flavor or appearance or shelf-life [syn: artificial additive]
Wikipedia
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance. Some additives have been used for centuries; for example, preserving food by pickling (with vinegar), salting, as with bacon, preserving sweets or using sulfur dioxide as with wines. With the advent of processed foods in the second half of the twentieth century, many more additives have been introduced, of both natural and artificial origin.
Usage examples of "food additive".
Imagine, for instance, the widespread diffusion of a food additive that accidentally turns out to have thalidomide-like effects.
They gathered the substance, using it as a food additive and stimulant.
Glizzee spice: A euphoric substance of pleasant flavor, provided by strangeys, sold in the markets as a food additive.
Method and results much resemble those of a scientist who feeds large doses of a purified and concentrated food additive to mice, in order to predict what may happen to people who eat it in small quantities for a long time.
The enlightened are too busy worrying that you're going to eat a food additive that'll shave three and a half days off your lifespan.