十分钟再谈预制菜之五：食品添加剂，鲜美与健康的平衡之道

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the balance between flavor and health in the context of food additives used in the rapidly growing prepared food market in China, which is projected to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026 [4]. Group 1: Market Overview - The prepared food market in China reached 516.5 billion yuan in 2023 and is expected to surpass 1 trillion yuan by 2026, indicating rapid growth [4]. - Globally, the penetration rate of prepared foods exceeds 60% in Japan, with approximately 70% of restaurants in France using prepared ingredients [19][20]. - The European prepared food market is projected to approach 90 billion USD by 2024, while the U.S. market is estimated at 47.56 billion USD, with over 60% of Americans preferring dinner preparation times of under 30 minutes [21][22]. Group 2: Role of Food Additives - Food additives have a long history in Chinese cuisine, dating back to the Han Dynasty, and are essential for food preservation and flavor enhancement [5][26]. - The use of food additives allows for safer, diverse, and convenient food options in modern fast-paced lifestyles, acting as crucial support for food industrialization [16][17]. - In China, over 2,300 food additives are approved for use, with regulations specifying their applications and limits [34]. Group 3: Consumer Concerns and Regulatory Landscape - Despite their benefits, food additives often raise health concerns among consumers, with many associating them with negative health impacts [36]. - Recent food safety incidents have highlighted issues with illegal additives rather than the approved ones, emphasizing the need for better regulation and consumer education [40][41]. - In March 2023, Chinese authorities issued guidelines prohibiting preservatives in prepared foods, reflecting a consensus that home-cooked meals should not contain such additives [61][62]. Group 4: Future Directions - To ensure the future success of prepared foods, the industry must focus on stricter regulations, advanced technology, and greater transparency [80]. - Learning from international practices, such as Japan's "positive list" system for food additives, could enhance safety and consumer trust [48]. - Technological advancements, such as high-temperature cooking and liquid nitrogen freezing, are being utilized to ensure food safety without the need for preservatives [67][73].