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Which Preservatives Are Safe to Eat?

It's frightening to consider the number of preservatives possibly ingested at each meal. Being aware of preservatives found in foods and how they affect your health coincides with good nutrition practices. Preservatives act to stop or slow the bacterial growth and spoilage in food that can cause illnesses such as botulism. While some preservatives are natural, many others are not.

  1. Preservatives in Food

    • Preservatives are commonly added to foods such as bakery items, cheeses, margarine, dressings and dried fruits to give them a longer shelf-life, enhance their appearance, and preserve natural characteristics. Aside from foods grown in a home garden, almost all foods and food products contain some type of preservative. The low levels of food preservatives used in food products are considered safe for human consumption in many countries. But, there is much debate over the safety and quality of some artificial ones.

    Natural Preservatives

    • A few natural preservatives include salt, vinegar and sugar. In moderation, all are safe to consume. Sugar and salt significantly help lower bacterial growth in food. Salt remains widely used for the preservation of fish and meats, while sugar is used regularly to preserve canned fruits and other sweets. Vinegar is used to pickle, or preserve, foods like cucumbers.

    Artificial Preservatives

    • More than 80 different substances are currently permitted for use as preservatives, and some of these chemical preservatives include nitrites, sulphites and benzoates, They are considered more effective and reliable than natural preservatives but some, such as nitrites, may be linked to certain cancers.

    Harmful Preservatives

    • Some preservatives are deemed safe only when consumed within limits prescribed by the FDA, and are known to trigger allergies and other health issues in some individuals. Benzoate, a chemical preservative found in some fruit juices, teas and coffees, is banned in Russia due to allergies, rashes and asthma attributed to it. Butylates used in some butter, margarine and vegetable oils may contribute to high blood pressure and cholesterol. Caramel coloring, one of the most common of all preservatives, is found in foods ranging from sodas to frozen pizzas. It has been linked to vitamin B6 deficiency, genetic disorders and even cancer. Some other potentially harmful food preservatives include bromates, caffeine, glutamates, sulphites and tannins.

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