What are natural preservatives?
Natural preservatives are substances derived from plant, animal, or mineral sources that inhibit microbial growth, prevent oxidation, or otherwise extend the shelf life of food products. Common examples include vinegar, citric acid, rosemary extract, salt, sugar, and tocopherols (vitamin E). These preservation methods have been used for thousands of years in traditional food preparation, from salt-curing meats to pickling vegetables in vinegar. Consumer preference for "clean label" products has driven increased adoption of natural preservatives as alternatives to synthetic options in reformulated products.
19,870 products in our database contain natural preservatives. 14,583 of them (73%) are Level 4, the most processed of our four levels.
Which foods contain natural preservatives?
Natural preservatives are used in bread, baked goods, cured meats, pickled vegetables, jams and jellies, dried fruits, sauces, condiments, salad dressings, natural snack foods, organic products, and clean-label processed foods across virtually every food category.
Kodiak Wheat Bread
100% Whole Wheat Tortilla Wraps
Thick Sliced Texas Bread
Denali White Bread, Denali White
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Cracked Wheat Bread, Cracked Wheat
Honey Wheat Premium Bread, Honey Wheat
Whole Wheat Pocket Pita, Whole Wheat
Dark Rye Sliced Wide Pan Bread with Dark Eye & Caraway Seeds, Dark Rye
100% Whole Wheat Bread, Whole Wheat
Signature Select
100% Whole Wheat Bread
Big Y
V Guarana Energy Drink Blue 10x250ml
Sourdough Bread, Sourdough
Signature Select
White Bread, White
Lucky Loaf
Everything Pre-Sliced Bagels, Everything
Kroger
Country Harvest Fork Split English Muffins
Stater Bros.
Bell-View, Pepperoncini
Imported Golden Peperoncini
Manzanilla Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimento
Great Value, Queen Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimento
Olives Stuffed with Minced Pimento, Sliced Salad
Tuong Ot Sriracha, Sriracha Chili Sauce
Knorr, Sauce Mix, Creamy Pesto
Spanish Green Olives
Bell-View, Sliced Pepperoncini
Bell-View, Tuscany Style Baby Pepperoncini
Mario, Pimiento Stuffed Spanish Olives
Huy Fong Foods, Inc., Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
Olives with Pimiento Salad
Deep Dish Pie Crust, Deep Dish
Kroger
Bran Crackers
Hogareas
Springfield, Premium Garbanzo Beans
Lamonica, Sliced Conch
Ziyad, Chick Peas, Garbanzo Beans
Garbanzo Bans Chicks Peas
Mae Ploy, Coconut Cream
Krinos, Pepperoncini in Vinegar Brine
100% Juice Lime From Concentrate
Cento, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Sweetened Dried Philippine Mango
Cento, Balsamic Vinegar
Imported Cocktail Onions
Coconut Juice Drink with Pulp
Bianco Modena White Balsamic Vinegar
Young Coconut Juice
El Maxicano, Coco Coconut Water
Dried Preserves
Julienne-Cut Sun Dried Tomatoes
Viloe, Coconut Water with Pulp
Cadia, Organic Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Jaggery Ball, Unrefined Cane Sugar
Reese, Red Wine Vinegar
Napoleon, Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Balsamic Vinegar
Shiitake Dried Black Mushrooms
70/90 Ckd P&d T/on Shrimp
30/40 Ez Peel Shrimp
Fz 26/30 Raw Shrimp
Unsweetened Coconut, Unsweetened
Pomegranate Vinegar, Pomegranate
Dried Peaches
Bush's Golden Hominy 15.5 Oz
Also known as
Natural Preservatives can appear in ingredient lists under several names. If you see any of the following, this is the ingredient family you are looking at:
Function
Natural preservatives protect food from spoilage caused by bacteria, molds, yeasts, and oxidative degradation. They work through various mechanisms including lowering pH (acids), reducing water activity (salt and sugar), providing antioxidant protection (tocopherols and rosemary extract), and creating antimicrobial environments. Many natural preservatives serve dual purposes, contributing both preservation functionality and flavor characteristics to the finished product — vinegar adds tang, salt enhances flavor, and rosemary extract contributes herbal notes alongside its antioxidant function.
Sources
Natural preservatives are obtained from biological or mineral sources through various processes. Vinegar is produced by bacterial fermentation of ethanol. Citric acid is predominantly produced via microbial fermentation of sugars by Aspergillus niger, though it occurs naturally in citrus fruits. Rosemary extract is obtained through solvent or supercritical CO2 extraction from rosemary leaves. Tocopherols are extracted from vegetable oils during the refining process. Salt is mined from underground deposits or obtained through evaporation of seawater. Sugar is extracted from sugarcane or sugar beets.
Health considerations
Natural preservatives like salt and sugar contribute to the overall sodium and added sugar content of foods, which must be declared on the Nutrition Facts label. Citric acid produced via Aspergillus fermentation is distinct from citric acid naturally present in citrus fruits, though chemically identical. Sulfites (used in dried fruits and wine) must be declared on labels and can cause reactions in sulfite-sensitive individuals, particularly those with asthma.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Regulatory
Most natural preservatives are classified as GRAS by the FDA due to their long history of use. They must be declared on ingredient labels by their common names. The distinction between "natural" and "synthetic" preservatives is important for products marketed as "clean label" or "free from artificial preservatives," though the FDA does not formally define these marketing terms. Organic food standards restrict the types of preservatives permitted. Sulfites must be declared when present at 10 ppm or more.