Food additives are substances used for enhancing the taste, color and texture of food products. These additives also prevent microbial growth and increase the shelf life of food products. The United States remains a major market for food additives due to their high penetration in processed and packaged food, bakery items, ready-to-eat food products and cereals. With significant growth anticipated in the US food & beverage industry, the consumption of food additives is expected to increase in the coming years.

According to recently published TechSci Research report "United States Food Additives Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2019", the food additives market in the United States is expected to grow at around 7% till 2019. The market is broadly categorized into five segments, namely flavors & flavor enhancers, sweeteners, colorants, emulsifiers and preservatives. Western and Mid-western regions generate highest demand for food additives in the country due to the presence of a large number of food and beverage establishments in these regions. Givaudan, International Flavors & Fragrances, CHR Wilson, Sensient and DuPont Danisco are among the major suppliers of food additives in the United States.

Over the last decade, growing number of immigrants in the US coupled with increasing consumer demand for varied cuisines and tastes has generated huge interest in traditional and local flavors. Moreover, rising demand for chocolates, candies, gums and other confectionary items is expected to benefit the market for sweeteners, food colorants and emulsifiers in the country. Global food giants such as Mars, Mondelez, Pepsico, Inc. and Kraft Foods as well as several other small and big establishments have manufacturing facilities in the US. Continuous technology innovations undertaken by these companies to enhance the taste, quality and longevity of food products are further propelling demand for food additives in the United States.

"The United States food additives market is dominated by the flavors segment due to huge demand for use in beverages, savory items and cereals. However, with growing adoption of low calorie, all natural and high intensity sweeteners such as Stevia, demand for sweeteners is projected to witness fastest growth in the United States over the next five years," said Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.