Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor, texture, color, and other qualities, or to improve its nutritional value. They can also be added to prevent spoilage or to make food more appealing. Some common food additives include preservatives, sweeteners, colorants, emulsifiers, stabilizers, and flavor enhancers. Food additives are regulated by government agencies to ensure that they are safe for consumption and do not pose any health risks to consumers. The use of food additives is a controversial topic, with some people advocating for natural foods and others supporting the use of additives to improve the safety and quality of food.