These specifications provide information on the identity and purity of food additives used directly in foods or in food production. Their main objectives are to identify the food additive that has been subjected to testing for safety, to ensure that the additive is of the quality required for use in food or in processing, and to reflect and encourage good manufacturing practice. This publication and other documents produced by JECFA contain information that is useful to all those who work with or are interested in food additives and their safe use in food.