Starting from GB2760-2007, the principles for the use of food additives are clearly defined.

(1) Food additives should meet the following basic requirements when used: ① It should not cause any health hazard to the human body. This means that any permitted food additives must be safe and reliable and produced in accordance with national hygiene standards. ② Food spoilage should not be covered up. For example, the dyed steamed bread incident in 2011 was to use colorants to reprocess the recycled steamed bread and sell it in the market again, which is a typical illegal case of using food additives to cover up the spoilage of food; ③ The food itself or the processing process should not be covered up. quality defects in or the use of food additives for the purpose of adulteration, adulteration or counterfeiting. For example, the fake beef incident is to use pork as raw material, add various food additives and sell it as semi-finished beef; ④ The nutritional value of the food itself should not be reduced. For example, due to improper use of some bleaching agents, they react with the nutrients in some foods during use, resulting in the destruction of some nutrients in the food. ⑤ On the premise of achieving the intended purpose, the use amount in food should be reduced as much as possible. ⑥ Processing aids used in food industry should generally be removed before the final product is made, except for those with specified residues in food.

(2) Food additives can be used in the following situations: ① to maintain or improve the nutritional value of the food itself; ② as a necessary ingredient or component of some special dietary foods; ③ to improve the quality and stability of the food and improve its sensory properties; ④ Facilitate the production, processing, packaging, transportation or storage of food.

(3) Food additives and processing aids for the food industry shall meet the corresponding quality standards, and shall meet the usage standards when used.

(4) Bring in the principle. In addition to direct addition, food additives can be brought into food through food ingredients (including food additives).