Deutsches Zusatzstoffmuseum
Small museum at the Hamburg wholesale market that uses everyday products to explain the function, production, and risks of food additives.
About the museum
The Deutsches Zusatzstoffmuseum (German Food Additives Museum) opened on May 28, 2008. It is run by the non-profit Hamburger Lebensmittelstiftung; food chemists Georg Schwedt and Udo Pollmer contributed to the concept of the exhibition. The museum's aim is to make the mostly invisible additives in industrially produced food visible and understandable.
The museum is somewhat hidden on the grounds of the Hamburg wholesale market (Großmarkt) in Hammerbrook. The exhibition is laid out like a supermarket: a shelf full of powders and liquids displays substances such as emulsifiers, colorings, and flavor enhancers in their original form, while themed sections explain what is in fruit, delicatessen products, dairy products, and beverages. At a replica checkout, visitors can scan dummy products and receive a receipt listing the additives they contain.
Another section is devoted to the history of food adulteration and to how manufacturers today use extracts and ingredients exempt from labeling to achieve "clean" labels. The museum also offers guided tours, an online encyclopedia of additives, and online events for groups, for which demonstration materials are sent by mail.
Highlights
- Supermarket shelf with additives in their original form
- "Kasse der Zusatzstoffe" (Additives Checkout) with scanner and additive receipt
- Scent samples of artificial flavorings
- History of food adulteration
- Public guided tours on Thursday evenings and on weekends
Permanent exhibitions
- Die Welt der Lebensmittelzusätze – A tour laid out like a supermarket: additives in their original form, themed sections on fruit, delicatessen, and beverages, a scanner checkout, and a section on the development from foodstuff to functional additive.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Hamburger Lebensmittelstiftung
- Director
- Christian Niemeyer
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2Children and teens aged 12 and up €2; no price is given for younger children. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €2 per personGroups of 10 or more and school classes €2 per person. Groups of 8 or more, please register in advance. Group tour €40 plus admission (max. 20 people according to hamburg.de). |
Public guided tours for individual visitors (Thu 18:00, Sat and Sun 15:00) at no extra charge – let the ticket desk know you're interested.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Exhibition on one level and wheelchair-accessible restroom, but the entrance is not accessible (according to the Long Night of Museums). The pedestrian turnstile at Tor Nord is unsuitable for wheelchairs and strollers; arrive by car via Tor Ost.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Nagelsweg
Bus 3, stop Nagelsweg (pedestrian access through the right turnstile at the North Gate, ring the bell there); S-Bahn Hammerbrook (exit Süderstraße), approx. 15 minutes on foot via Sachsenfeld and Nagelsweg.
By car
Parking available
Parking directly in front of the museum or on the wholesale market grounds (East parking area).
By car via Billhorner Röhrendamm to the East Gate of the wholesale market (GPS: Auf der Brandshofer Schleuse 4). The turnstile at the North Gate is unsuitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups and school classes by appointment (contact form or phone). Also online events for groups ("Hol Dir Dein Museum") with demonstration objects sent by mail. |
