Food additives include numerous chemical compounds which can be used in food processing as colour enhancers, preservatives, antioxidants, sweeteners, …
Food Additive - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics

ScienceDirect
Today about 2,800 substances are used as food additives. Salt, sugar, and corn syrup are by far the most widely used additives in food in this country.
Sep 19, 2023
Food Additives - K-State Research and Extension

Kansas State University
There are four general categories of food additives: nutritional additives, processing agents, preservatives, and sensory agents.