200 - 297 Preservatives

Food Additives with a "•" in front of its name shows that it is definitely or possibly Animal Derived.

200 Sorbic acid, preservative. Potassium Sorbate. Either obtained from berries, or synthesised from ketene. 48

201 Sodium sorbate, preservative

202 Potassium sorbate, preservative

203 Calcium sorbate, preservative

210 Benzoic acid also known as flowers of benzoin, phenlycarboxylic acid, carboxybenzene and others. Added to alcoholic beverages, baked goods, cheeses, gum, condiments, frozen dairy, relishes, soft sweets, cordials and sugar substitutes. Preservative used in cosmetics, also used as an antiseptic in many cough medications and an antifungal in ointments. Can cause asthma, especially in those dependant on steroid asthma medications. Is also reputed to cause neurological disorders and to react with sulphur bisulphite (222) Shown to provoke hyperactivity in children. Obtained from Benzoin, a resin exuded by trees native to Asia. 47, 48

211 Sodium benzoate, preservative. Webster's dictionary describes the uses of this substance as: "antiseptic, as a food preservative, and to disguise taste, as of poor-quality food". Orange soft drinks contain a high amount of it, upto 25mg per 250ml. Also in milk and meat products, relishes and condiments, baked goods and lollies. Used in many oral medications including Actifed, Phenergan, and Tylenol. Known to causes nettle rash, and aggravate asthma. 47, 48

212 Potassium benzoate, preservative

213 Calcium benzoate, preservative

216 Propylparaben, preservative

218 Methylparaben, preservative

220 Sulphur dioxide, preservative derived from coal tar, All sulphur drugs are toxic and restricted in use. Sprayed on grapes after harvesting, often used in winemaking. Produced by combustion of sulphur or gypsum. Known to provoke asthma attacks, and difficult to metabolise for those with impaired kidney function See also Sulfites. 47, 48

221 Sodium sulphite, preservative, decontaminating agent used in fresh orange juice. See above.

222 Sodium bisulphite, preservative

223 Sodium metabisulphite, preservative, treating agent

224 Potassium metabisulphite, preservative

234 Nisin, preservative antibiotic found in beer, processed cheese products, tomato paste. derived from bacteria

235 Natamycin, mould inhibitor, derived from bacteria

249 Potassium nitrite, preservative, colour fixative, and curing agent for meat. Nitrites can effect the bodys ability to carry oxygen, resulting in shortness of breath, dizziness and headaches. Not permitted in infant foods. 48

250 Sodium nitrite, preservative, colour fixative. May provoke hyperactivity and other adverse reactions; potentially carcinogenic; use is severely restricted in many countries. 40

251 Sodium nitrate, preservative, colour fixative. Also used in the manufacture of nitric acid and as a fertiliser, and in fermented meat products.

252 Potassium nitrate (saltpetre), preservative, colour fixative. May be derived from waste animal or vegetable matter. Also used in gunpowder, explosives and fertilisers, and in the preservation of meat. may provoke hyperactivity and other adverse reactions; potentially carcinogenic; use is severely restricted in many countries. 40, 48

260 Acetic acid, main component of vinegar, synthetically produced from wood fibres. Used in pickles, chutneys, and sauces. 48

261 Potassium acetate, food acid

262 Sodium diacetate, food acid, acidity regulator

263 Calcium acetate, food acid, acidity regulator, by product in the manufacture of wood alcohol, used to make acetic acid (vinegar) and in the production of dyers mordants.

•270 Lactic acid, food acid, acidity regulator. It is produced by heating and fermenting carbohydrates in milk whey, potatoes, cornstarch or molasses. Difficult for babies to metabolise. Used in sweets, dressings, soft drinks and infant formulas. Sometimes used in beer making. 13, 48

280 Propionic acid, preservative. All propionates are thought to be linked with migraine headaches. Commonly used in bread and flour products. Produced when bacteria decompose fibre. Can be derived commercially from ethylene and carbon monoxide, or propionaldehyde, or natural gas, or fermented wood pulp. Propionates occur naturally in fermented foods, human perspiration, and ruminants digestive tract. 13, 48

281 Sodium propionate, preservative, sodium salt of propionic acid

282 Calcium propionate, preservative, derived from propionic acid

283 Potassium propionate, preservative, pottasium salt of propionic acid

290 Carbon dioxide, propellant, preservative, coolant, derived from lime manufacture. 48

296 Malic acid, food acid, derived from fruit or synthetic. Not used for young children. 48

297 Fumaric acid, food acid used in soft drinks and cake mixes. Derived from plants of the genus Fumaria esp. F.officianalis or from the fermentation of glucose with fungi. It can be used to flavour, acidify, as an antioxidant or raising agent. 48