Understanding Food Labels
What are some other long names we see regularly on our food labels?
Three main types of preservatives are used in food:
- Antimicrobials: to prevent organisms like fungi and bacteria from growing. Look for: sodium benzoate (a type of salt also referred to as antimol, sobenate, benzoate sodium, or benzoic acid), calcium propionate (also known as propanoic acid and calcium salt), calcium sorbate (a salt from the fat sorbic acid) and potassium sorbate (also a salt of sorbic acid).
- Antioxidants: to help food last longer by preserving fat. Look for: sodium erythorbate, (the chemical version of ascorbic acid; one rumor says it’s made from earthworms, which is false), sodium nitrate, BHA and BHT.
- Acids: to preserve food colors, textures and flavors. Look for: ascorbic acid (vitamin C), citric acid, EDTA (an amino acid) and tocopherols (vitamin E).
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Review Date:
September 22, 2014Citation:
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Last Updated:
September 22, 2014