Glaze

A glaze is a coating applied to food to give it a shiny appearance and sometimes a sweet or savoury flavour. It can be made from a variety of ingredients, such as sugar, egg, milk, or broth, and is typically brushed onto the surface of food before or after cooking. Glazes can also be made from fruit juices or purees, adding both flavour and colour.

Glazes are used to improve the visual appeal and flavour of baked goods, meats, and confectionery. They can add a desirable sheen to pastries, help create a crispy crust on bread, and enhance the caramelisation of roasted meats. In sweets, glazes provide sweetness and a smooth texture.

Glazes are not typically considered food additives in themselves, but the ingredients used to make them may be. For example, sugar-based glazes contribute to the overall sugar content of a food. If a glaze contains ingredients like egg or milk, these will be declared as allergens. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) regulate all food ingredients to ensure they are safe for consumption. Regulatory bodies like EFSA evaluate the safety of specific food additives that might be used in glazes.