Bakeries may rely on many of the same additives as other food industries, but several are specific to baking. You can find the majority of these additives in the warehouse of your food ingredient supplier, Bell Chem. Below is a sampling of the most prevalent bakery food additives.

Artificial sweeteners

With the push toward weight loss, many bakeries offer low-sugar or no-sugar products, which require artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose. These artificial sweeteners give the same flavor as full-sugar products without an influx of calories. 

Emulsifiers

Many baked goods contain water (or a liquid containing a large percentage of water) and oil. Under normal circumstances these two liquids are immiscible. Adding an emulsifier such as carrageenan, a di- or mono-glyceride, or lecithin, quickly combines these within the other ingredients by breaking the surface tension of the liquid ingredients, creating a mixture with improved texture.

Enzymes

Amylase, lipase, and protease are all enzymes that break complex carbohydrates into simple sugars, which expedites the fermentation process while baking. As enzymes break down carbohydrates, the remaining simple sugars feed yeast, an extremely important ingredient in the majority of baked goods. Yeast gives bread the light, fluffy texture and tantalizing odor commonly associated with baked goods. 

Food colorings and flavorings

From titanium dioxide to salt, the appearance and taste of baked goods is vitally important. While many colors and flavors were originally natural, many are now produced artificially at a more economical price. Another consideration is the addition of on-trend ingredients, such as caffeine or vitamins, which may impact the overall flavor of baked goods. Flavor enhancers such as bitter blockers and flavor extenders, maskers, and potentiators can recall the original flavor while maintaining the on-trend ingredients. 

Preservatives

As the name suggests, preservatives such as calcium and sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, and potassium and sodium benzoate prolong shelf life of baked goods by creating an unstable environment for microorganisms. 

For more information on baked goods additives, visit Bell Chem’s News page.  

Bell Chem is your food ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including bakery food additives. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.