

However, the same chemical properties which make BHA and BHT excellent preservatives may also be implicated in health effects. Both BHA and BHT have undergone the additive application and review process required by the US Food and Drug Administration. Oxygen reacts preferentially with BHA or BHT rather than oxidizing fats or oils, thereby protecting them from spoilage. Ascorbic Acidīutylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) and the related compound butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are phenolic compounds that are often added to foods to preserve fats. Manufacturers preserve canned fruit with ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic acid, more commonly known as vitamin C, is a preservative that stops foods from continuing to ripen, an aging process that leads to decay. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. Folic acid may be added to manufactured foods and drinks, or taken as a vitamin supplement because of its use as a natural and safe food preservative.Īscorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. Most adults do not experience any side effects when consuming the recommended amount each day, which is 400 mcg. Foods that are naturally high in folic acid include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), okra, asparagus, and fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons). Since 1998, it has been added to cold cereals, flour, breads, pasta, bakery items, cookies, and crackers, as required by federal law. Folic Acidįolic acid is a water-soluble B vitamin. 6 month old meat? No way, NEVER at Boulder Sausage. Meat (and food in general) wasn’t meant to last forever. While our commitment to Always Fresh & No Preservatives does limit our shelf life, we don’t see this as a problem. Salt is included in our spice blend, serving as a natural preservative. Oxygen tends to react with BHA and BHT before oxidizing fats, which in turn keeps the food from going rancid.Īt Boulder Sausage, we are simply premium pork and spices, and nothing else. These chemicals are usually added to prevent oxidation of fats and oils in food. However, the main concerns of using food additives are mostly related to chemical substances and artificial ingredients. Natural food additives, such as salt, sugar and vinegar and natural spices are also considered as food additives. One serving of McDonald’s French fries has enough salt to prevent them from ever spoiling or molding. Salt is used to regulate and aid this process. Some food products are preserved using fermentation. Organisms that decay food and cause disease are killed by a high concentration of salt.

Salt draws water out of cells via the process of osmosis, which makes the food too dry for molds and harmful bacteria to grow. Salt – The only “preservative” we use at Boulder Sausage.Here are some healthy, safe food preservatives to look for: But many preservatives used today are chemical in origin and might have dangerous side effects. Preservatives protect you from food poisoning and keep your food looking and tasting fresh. Foods that have a long shelf life often contain preservatives. Preservatives are used to protect your food from microbes that might contaminate it or cause it to rot. The contaminants from manufacturing, storing and packaging processes are also considered as indirect food additives. Additives include preservatives for extending shelf life, flavoring and coloring for improving taste and appearance, and nutritional supplements such as vitamins and minerals. Artificial Food Preservatives Introduction: Food Preservativesįood additives/preservatives refer to any substances that are added to change food in some way before it is consumed.

Food ingredients are subject to the same strict safety standards regardless of whether they are naturally or artificially derived. For example, vitamin C or ascorbic acid may be derived from an orange or produced in a laboratory. Also, some ingredients found in nature can be manufactured artificially and produced more economically, with greater purity and more consistent quality, than their natural counterparts. Other ingredients are not found in nature and therefore must be synthetically produced as artificial ingredients. Natural ingredients are derived from natural sources (e.g., soybeans and corn provide lecithin to maintain product consistency beets provide beet powder used as food coloring). What is the difference between natural and artificial ingredients? Is a naturally produced ingredient safer than an artificially manufactured ingredient?
