What are the main roles of food additives?

Food additives play several important roles in food production and preservation, primarily focusing on enhancing flavor and maintaining freshness. One of the primary purposes of food additives is to improve the taste of food products, making them more appealing to consumers. This can involve enhancing existing flavors or adding new ones through flavoring agents.

Additionally, additives are crucial in preserving the shelf life of food. Many additives, such as preservatives, help prevent spoilage caused by microorganisms, oxidation, and other chemical reactions that can lead to food degradation. By maintaining the freshness and quality of food products over time, additives contribute to consumer satisfaction and safety.

The other options listed do not accurately reflect the primary roles of food additives; they either suggest negative impacts on food quality or focus on attributes that are not the main intention of using additives in food technology.