The main difference between additives and preservatives is that additives help to enhance the flavor, texture, safety, appearance, or shelf-life of food, whereas preservatives prevent spoilage caused by the growth of microorganisms and increase the shelf-life of food.
Additives and preservatives are substances that are added to food. There are many types of food additives, and preservatives are one of them.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Additives
– Definition, Function, Features
2. What are Preservatives
– Definition, Function, Features
3. Difference Between Additives and Preservatives
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Additives, Preservatives
What are Additives
Additives or food additives are substances we add to food to enhance its flavor, texture, safety, appearance, or shelf-life. Some examples include sweeteners, emulsifiers, preservatives, stabilizers, antioxidants, and food colorings. Manufacturers add them to food to make it more palatable or to preserve it for a long time. In fact, some additives have been in use for many centuries. For example, additives like salt (in dried fish or bacon) and sugar (in jams and marmalades). Generally, additives are added in minimal quantities and are deemed safe by relevant regulatory bodies such as the FDA.
Moreover, food additives originate from plants or animals or from synthetic materials. High fructose corn syrup, honey, agave syrup, MSG (monosodium glutamate), xanthan gum, carrageenan, pectin, lecithin, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate are some common additives in most food products. Some of these additives, especially synthetic additives, may have negative effects on human health. Therefore, it’s always best to avoid them by consuming fresh and whole foods.
You can identify the additives a food product contains by looking at its E number on the label. In fact, the E number is a code the European Union has assigned for food additives. The E stands for “Europe,” and each additive has a number to identify it. For example, E330 is assigned to citric acid, a common preservative and acidity regulator. Furthermore, E numbers are not only used in Europe; they are also used across the world and are a way to harmonize food additive regulations across different countries.
What are Preservatives
Preservatives are food additives we add to food to prevent spoilage caused by the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, and yeast. They help to extend the shelf life of food and prevent food poisoning. Moreover, they are used in a wide variety of food products, including baked goods, dairy products, canned goods, and processed meats. Some common preservatives are sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sulfur dioxide, and sodium nitrite. Meanwhile, some food products use natural preservatives like vinegar, lemon juice, and salt.
It’s important to note that some preservatives may have negative effects on human health, so it’s always good to check the label and consult the experts if you have any concerns.
Difference Between Additives and Preservatives
Definition
Additives are substances we add to food to enhance the flavor, texture, safety, appearance, or shelf-life of food, while preservatives are food additives we add to food to prevent spoilage caused by the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, and yeast.
Purpose
While additives enhance the flavor, texture, safety, appearance, or shelf-life of food, preservatives help to avoid the spoilage of food.
Types
Moreover, sweeteners, emulsifiers, stabilizers, antioxidants, and food colorings are some types of additives. Preservatives are one type of additive.
Examples
High fructose corn syrup, honey, agave syrup, MSG, xanthan gum, carrageenan, pectin, and lecithin are some examples of additives, whereas sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sulfur dioxide, and sodium nitrite are some examples of preservatives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preservatives are a type of food additive. The main difference between additives and preservatives is that additives help to enhance the flavor, texture, safety, appearance, or shelf-life of food, whereas preservatives prevent spoilage caused by the growth of microorganisms and increase the shelf-life of food.
Reference:
1. “Food Additives.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Preservatives.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Lecithin-Formulierungen” By Helge Höpfner – Transferred from de. Wikipedia to Commons by Leyo using CommonsHelper. (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Sodium benzoate-substance” By Chemik10 at Polish Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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