What does enrichment refer to in food processing?

Enrichment in food processing specifically pertains to the practice of adding nutrients back into food products that may have been lost during processing. For instance, when grains are refined, certain vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron, can be diminished. To counteract this loss, food manufacturers enhance the original nutrient profile by reintroducing these essential nutrients back into the final product. This process helps ensure that the food maintains its nutritional value and supports public health, especially in diets that may lack certain vitamins and minerals due to the consumption of processed foods.

In this context, enrichment plays a crucial role in food nutritional quality, making it accessible for consumers to receive adequate nutrients, even from processed items. Other options presented do not accurately define enrichment: adding new nutrients that were not present refers to fortification, which differs from enrichment, while removing harmful substances relates to food safety rather than nutrition. Additionally, fortifying foods with extra sugars does not align with the concept of enrichment, as excessive sugar does not enhance the nutritional profile but can detract from it.