Final answer:
Benzoyl peroxide is the additive used as a bleaching agent, capable of turning colored organic compounds into colorless ones due to its properties as an oxidizing agent.
Step-by-step explanation:
The additive used as a bleaching agent is benzoyl peroxide (BPO). Benzoyl peroxide is not only a medication used to treat acne but also has industrial applications such as bleaching flour, hair bleaching, teeth whitening, and textile bleaching. It belongs to a class of compounds known as peroxygens, which are oxidizing agents, and this characteristic makes them suitable for bleaching because they react with colored organic compounds, turning them into colorless ones.