Chemicals in Food

Everything we eat is a mixture of chemicals. Many of them are found naturally in food and are essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals that we need to stay healthy.

Other chemicals in food are additives, mixed in to stop it decaying or to improve its texture, colour, or attractiveness to the consumer.

Traces of chemicals used while growing and manufacturing food may also be present as contaminants.

Every food is different but if we start with an Australian staple, bread, we can build up a picture of the chemicals in our food and how they got there.