Definition

Seasonings: are products that are widely used in diet, cooking and food processing to harmonize tastes and smells, and have the effects of deodorizing, deodorizing, detoxifying, aroma-enhancing, and freshness-enhancing, etc., and are essentially supplementary foods that are beneficial to the human body and can be consumed directly. Like salt, soy sauce, monosodium glutamate, vinegar, sugar, peppercorns, mustard, etc. are seasonings.

Food additives: chemical synthetic or natural substances that are added to food to improve the color, aroma, taste and other qualities of the food, as well as for preservation and processing needs, and are usually not directly consumed .

Nature and Nutritional Value

Seasoning: It is a kind of food in itself, in addition to regulating the flavor, some have important nutritional value. For example, salt can provide Na⁺ for the body, and sugar can provide energy for the body.

Food additives: generally can not be food, and may not necessarily have nutritional value, but after the use of the food can not affect the nutritional value of the food and cover the food spoilage .

Review standards and rules

Seasoning: According to the “General Rules for the Review of Food Production License” and “Rules for the Review of Production License of Seasoning Products” for license review.

Food Additives: Reviewed in accordance with the “General Rules for the Review of Food Additives Production License”, with no implementation rules.

Enforcement Standards

Seasonings: In addition to the implementation of national, industry or local standards, enterprise standards can also be implemented.

Food additives: the production enterprises must strictly implement the national standards, industry standards or standards designated by the Ministry of Health, and shall not formulate and implement enterprise standards.

Production license number and validity period

Seasonings: The production license number starts with “QS” and is valid for 3 years.

Food additives: production license number starts with “XK”, valid for 5 years.

Restrictions and Scope of Use

Flavorings: generally harmless, no maximum use limit, can be directly consumed, the scope of use is relatively wide, can be used in daily cooking and diet.

Food additives: commonly used in the food processing industry, not directly facing consumers, the dosage and scope of use in food has strict regulations, and can not be directly consumed.

Labeling

On food labels, seasonings are labeled with raw materials and accessories within the food ingredients, while food additives are labeled separately.

However, the boundary between the two is not absolutely clear. Some condiments such as monosodium glutamate (monosodium glutamate) is both a food additive (flavor enhancers), but also is usually considered a condiment; some herbs or spices, such as chili peppers, ginger, directly consumed belongs to the condiment, extracted and deep-processed as chili red pigment, chili essence, ginger oil is a food additive.