What are food preservatives?

Answer 1

Food preservatives are chemicals that prevent food from spoilage due to microbial

growth. Table salt, sugar, vegetable oil, sodium benzoate (C6H3COONa), and salts of

propanoic acid are some examples of food preservatives.

Answer 2

You have to read labels, but almost any food that has been processed, or canned in any way has some sort of additive to lengthen shelf life, and to inhibit the growth of microbes. They are often chemically derived in some way, and while some are not necessarily harmful there are some that have been shown to cause long term health concerns, and some can cause rare allergic reactions. Among the leading preservatives used in foods, sulfur dioxide, often used in dried fruits, jams and wines, propionates, made naturally by some fruits, and used often in the preservation of baked goods, benzoates, used in jams, cheeses, meats, sorbates, similar to benzoates, and my favorite, nitrates, used to preserve meats and to help maintain the rosy color of such American favorites as Hot Dogs and bologna. These are just to name a few. There are more specific types of each category as well as antioxidant preservatives, chelating agents, and parabens. Almost everything we consume, unless organically grown and processed, has been preserved in some way.