Food Preservatives

A preservative is a substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes. In general preservation is implemented in two modes, chemical and physical. Chemical preservation entails adding chemical compounds to the product. Physical preservation entails refrigeration and drying. Artificial preservatives reduce the risk of foodborne infections, decrease microbial spoilage, and preserve fresh attributes and nutritional quality.

The increasing demand for ready-to-eat fresh food products has led to challenges for food distributors regarding the safety and quality of their foods. Artificial preservatives meet some of these challenges by preserving freshness for longer periods of time, but these preservatives can cause negative side-effects as well.

Preservatives are a recurring topic in public discussions, and whenever it crops up, many consumers associate them with harmful, modern chemicals in foodstuffs. But, as a brief look back into the past will show, preservation of food was practiced several hundred years ago when man first used salt (salting) and smoke (curing) to stop meat and fish from going bad. Despite a number of misgivings, preservatives have nowadays become an indispensable part of the food we eat. One reason for this is the increasing demand from consumers for greater choice, ease and convenience of foods, and our high standards of food safety.

List of Permitted Preservatives

1. Class 1 Preservatives
2. Class 2 Preservatives
3. Class 3 Preservatives
4. Class 4 Preservatives

Source

Wikipedia

Disclaimer:

Side effects, traditional and medicinal uses are stated in different web resources. | The list of Food Additives/Preservatives/Ingredients included in this section and listed is subject to change as chemicals are added or removed by the Regulatory Authorities. FoodChem or Nyro Research Foundation cannot guarantee that this list is complete. | Government approvals and other regulatory details are subject to change. | This entry was added in good faith for public awareness. For current updated details please check with relevant authorities. | This blog is intended to be of general interest and public awareness which may or may not compliment studies from various sources. | In case of any health concerns please consult appropriate professionals and experts.