Are food preservatives bad for you? - Eleanor Nelsen

Summary

Food spoils due to microbes and oxidation, but preservatives help keep it fresh. These can be natural or synthetic acids, sugars, salts, or antioxidants. They work by creating inhospitable environments for microbes or preventing chemical changes. Though generally recognized as safe, some preservatives have potential health concerns. Consumers and companies are exploring alternatives, but preservatives remain crucial for shelf-stable food. The FDA regulates their use to ensure safety.

Takeaways

• 🍞 Food spoilage is a common issue due to the rapid growth of microbes and oxidation processes.
• 🛡️ Preservatives are substances that help prevent food spoilage by inhibiting microbial growth and oxidation.
• 🦠 Microbes such as bacteria and fungi can cause foodborne illnesses like listeria and botulism, or simply make food unappealing.
• 🍏 Oxidation can cause fats to become rancid and fruits and vegetables to turn brown due to the action of enzymes or free radicals.
• 🧪 Traditional food preservation methods, like using lactic acid-producing bacteria, have been in use for thousands of years to create foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt.
• 🍋 Many synthetic preservatives are acids, such as benzoic, sorbic, and propionic acid, which can inhibit microbial growth.
• 🍯 High sugar or salt content in foods like jams and salted meats can also act as natural preservatives by depriving microbes of necessary water.
• 🚫 Excessive sugar and salt consumption can lead to health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
• 🥩 Nitrates and nitrites used in cured meats can prevent botulism but may be linked to other health problems, including cancer.
• 🌲 Antioxidant preservatives like BHT, tocopherol (vitamin E), and smoke can prevent food from developing off-flavors and colors.
• 🍊 Citric and ascorbic acids are antioxidants that help maintain the color of fruits and vegetables by inhibiting browning enzymes.
• 🛑 Sulfites are preservatives that can act as both antimicrobials and antioxidants, but may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
• 📋 Preservatives are generally used in small amounts and are listed towards the end of the ingredients, regulated by the FDA to ensure safety.
• 🔍 Some consumers and companies are seeking alternative preservation methods, such as innovative packaging to reduce oxygen exposure.

Q & A

What are the two major factors that cause food to spoil?

The two major factors that cause food to spoil are microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, and oxidation, a chemical change in the food's molecules caused by enzymes or free radicals.

How do microbes affect food?

Microbes invade food and feed off its nutrients. Some microbes can cause diseases like listeria and botulism, while others simply turn food into a smelly, slimy, moldy mess.

What is the role of oxidation in food spoilage?

Oxidation causes a chemical change in the food's molecules, which can turn fats rancid and brown produce like apples and potatoes.

How do preservatives help keep food edible?

Preservatives prevent the deterioration of food caused by microbes and oxidation, thus helping to keep food edible for longer periods.

What is the traditional method of preserving food using bacteria?

Traditionally, people have used bacteria that produce lactic acid to preserve food, turning perishable vegetables and milk into longer-lasting foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and yogurt.

Which synthetic preservatives are commonly used as acids in food?

Common synthetic preservatives used as acids in food include benzoic acid in salad dressing, sorbic acid in cheese, and propionic acid in baked goods.

Are there any health concerns associated with benzoic acid and related benzoates?

Some studies suggest that benzoates may contribute to hyperactive behavior, but the results are not conclusive, and these acids are generally considered safe.

How do sugar and salt act as preservatives?

Sugar and salt act as preservatives by holding on to water that microbes need to grow, effectively dehydrating any cells that may be present and destroying them.

What are the health risks associated with using too much sugar and salt as preservatives?

Using too much sugar and salt can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, so these preservatives should be used in moderation.

What is the concern with nitrates and nitrites used in cured meats?

Nitrates and nitrites, used to ward off bacteria that cause botulism in cured meats, may cause other health problems, with some studies linking cured meats to cancer.

How do antioxidant preservatives prevent food from developing off-flavors or colors?

Antioxidant preservatives prevent the chemical changes that can give food an off-flavor or color by neutralizing free radicals, which helps to maintain the food's original taste and appearance.

What is the role of sulfites as preservatives?

Sulfites serve a dual role as both antimicrobials and antioxidants. They can help prevent spoilage and maintain color in food, but may cause allergy symptoms in some people.

Why are preservatives usually found near the end of the ingredients list?

Preservatives are usually found near the end of the ingredients list because they are used in very small amounts, which are determined by the FDA to be safe.

Are there alternatives to chemical preservatives that consumers and companies are exploring?

Yes, some consumers and companies are exploring alternatives to chemical preservatives, such as packaging tricks that reduce the oxygen around food to help extend its shelf life.