Deutsches Zusatzstoffmuseum

Located in the vicinity of the Hamburger Großmarkt, the Deutsches Zusatzstoffmuseum is a public museum that informs visitors about additives frequently used in food. These include flavour enhancers, flavourings, colourants and enzymes.

The exhibition was conceived at the beginning of the 21st century with scientific input from food chemists. Its aim is to provide comprehensive information on the origin, function and possible effects of additives on the human body, also addressing emulsifiers and stabilizers. The museum is operated by the Hamburger Lebensmittelstiftung; the foundation receives substantial support from private backers, including a majority shareholder of a frozen-food producer based in Bremerhaven.

The presentation is divided into four thematic sections: "An Unusual Supermarket Shelf", "A Supermarket Full of Information", "Our Additives Checkout" and "From Food to Functional Additive". The exhibits combine vivid everyday references with expert explanations, making the origin, areas of use and mechanisms of action of additives understandable. The museum thus serves as an information platform for discerning consumers and for those from the cultural and scientific communities who are interested in the topic.