Who invented food additives?

Food additives have been used for centuries, but their formal development began in the 19th century with advances in chemistry. Early examples include salt and sugar as preservatives, while the invention of synthetic additives like artificial colors and flavors emerged later. Notable figures include chemists such as Justus von Liebig, who contributed to the understanding of food preservation. Overall, the invention of food additives cannot be attributed to a single individual but rather to a collective advancement in food science and technology.