Consumer

  Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance. Some additives have been used for centuries. According to Wikipedia the advent of processed foods in the second half of the 20th century, many more additives have been introduced, of both natural and artificial origin.Organic substances such as salt, sugar, vinegar, alcohol are also applied as conventional preservatives. These are utilised in both raw too as cooked food stuff to increase the shelf value of food so that aroma, taste as well as the meals itself may be stored for a longer period of time.    http://www.foodadditives.org/pdf/Food_Additives_Booklet.pdf
                           

           Additives are used in foods for five main reasons:

                      To maintain product 

                      To Improve of maintain nutritional value

                      To maintain wholesomeness

                      To provide leavening or control acidity/alkalinity

                      Last but not least to enhance flavor or impart desired color

   Adding food additives also have their disadvantages:

                     Some food additives are toxic if a large amount is used, e.g. sodium benzoate and benzonic acid

                     Some food additives may be carcinogenic, e.g. sodium nitrate has been shown to cause cancer to mice and may also cause cancer to human beings

                     Some additives may have side effects such as allergies

Yet not everyone has these side effects , therefore I believe that food additives should be added however the amount of each substance should vary. Salt and Sugar can cause more harm than all the other additives combined .
              As a consumer food additives may be killing me slowly without me noticing.As great as they taste I'm not always aware of whats been added to my food.Also I believe that its not always about the great taste, texture ..etc but more about my health.