The major part of foods found in supermarkets contain preservatives because natural preservatives are rare. Preservatives are used to inhibit bacteria and fungus growth and help products maintain their appearance, texture, and smell. While the food industry tries to stay below maximum preservative quantities allowed, they sometimes add additives that have a preservative effect but are labeled as having another function to avoid problems. It is preferable to use natural preservatives like salt, sugar, and herbs which do not harm personal health or the environment.

1. Food preservatives
The major part of the aliments found in today´s supermarkets contain
preservatives, because natural preservatives are rare.
They are used to inhibit food bacteria and fungus, and help the products to maintain
their look, texture, and smell.
On the other hand, when the food industry gets close to the maximum quantity of
preservatives they can put on the product, they add additives, because they are still a
preservative but on the package they are said to have a different function, in order not
to raise any problems in the food industry.
Preferentially, we should use natural preservatives, because they are of no
harm for our personal health and for the environment.
Some examples of natural preservatives are: salt, sugar and herbs.
For example, back a few years, in Portugal we used to preserve codfish with salt, and
today some of the preserving areas are now tourist´s attractions.
I personally think we should try to avoid consuming products with
preservatives, although it is almost impossible nowadays.
What about you? Do you have any methods to avoid the consumption of
preservatives? If so, what is it?
David Anim, 10ºF, Portugal