Who knew that learning about food additives could be so fun? In this lesson, students were made more aware of what they eat and why, as we explored a variety of food additives prevalent in the modern diet of processed foods. We talked about all of the many things that food additives can be used for, from food coloring, to artificial and natural flavors, to additives that change food texture and thickness.
We made observations on a few experiments using food additives, including seeing how lemon juice can keep apples looking fresh even after they’re cut, and using a seaweed extract that is used as a food thickener to make a rubbery substance, just by mixing it with a little water. We also examined lecithin’s emulsifying capabilities, and explored the leavening properties of yeast by mixing it with sugar and warm water and watching a balloon fill up with the resulting gas!
Additional Information:
The following YouTube video demonstrates a fun experiment with iron-fortified breakfast cereal that can be performed at home! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRK15XSqtAw
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