Chemical Preservatives
AdditiveOverview
Chemical preservatives including sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, and BHA/BHT are synthetic antimicrobial and antioxidant agents found in over 70% of packaged and ultra-processed foods. These compounds serve as definitive markers of industrial food processing, enabling extended shelf life far beyond what traditional preservation methods achieve.
303,757
Products contain this
10,191
Ingredient variations
Common forms
BHA, BHT, TBHQ, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, nitrites
Function
Chemical preservatives function through multiple mechanisms including microbial cell membrane disruption, enzyme inhibition, and oxidation prevention in manufactured foods. They provide broad-spectrum protection against bacteria, yeasts, and molds while preventing rancidity in fats and maintaining color stability during extended storage periods.
Sources
Most chemical preservatives are produced through synthetic chemical processes using petroleum-derived precursors or industrial fermentation followed by chemical modification. Manufacturing involves specialized chemical plants with precise temperature, pressure, and pH controls to create pure compounds that meet food-grade specifications.
Health Considerations
Chemical preservatives undergo extensive safety testing, though some raise concerns including potential benzene formation from benzoates with vitamin C, and suspected endocrine disruption from BHA/BHT. The presence of multiple chemical preservatives typically indicates ultra-processed foods with extended shelf life requirements beyond traditional food preparation.
Regulatory
The FDA regulates chemical preservatives as food additives with specific maximum usage levels, typically ranging from 0.1% to 0.02% by weight depending on the preservative and food category. All synthetic preservatives require pre-market approval and must be listed by name on ingredient labels, unlike some natural preservation methods.
Common Variations (50 total)
Products Containing Chemical Preservatives
Showing 12 of 303,757 products, sorted by processing level