The food industry is an industry that is responsible for and manages the processing, production, distribution and delivery of agricultural and livestock products to the end consumer. While transforming and distributing raw materials into food products, it is one of its main missions to provide consumers with the final product, quality and safe food. Foodstuff that is not microbiologically, chemically and physically contaminated should be presented to the consumer with the correct packaging and label. In addition to these, traceability, environmental sensitivity and legal compliance are also features that should be in a foodstuff. In this whole process, food additives are used to improve the taste, color and shelf life of the foodstuff, to meet health-related needs and to protect the food product until it reaches the end consumer. Food additives (GCM) are substances that do not have nutritional value on their own, are added to the food product consciously directly or indirectly and are added in limited quantities to improve the appearance, structure of the product or to increase the storage time. In the food industry, production, processing, transportation, etc. for technological purposes. It can also be defined as substances added to food in stages. Looking at the history of food additives, it is possible to state that it extends from the Mesolithic era to the modern food industry. While only food additives such as yeast and salt were used in the Mesolithic period, today these substances aim to improve the appearance of the food product, extend the shelf life, and increase the flavor. Food additives have advantages as well as disadvantages. It requires careful handling as it may cause reactions in overuse of food additives or in sensitive individuals. Within the scope of this section, food additives have been comprehensively discussed, their functions, usage areas and effects have been examined. In addition, by emphasizing the importance of the correct and safe use of food additives, information on the protection of consumer health and potential risks and safe use guidelines were compiled.