Question
What are food preservatives? Explain some common food preservatives.
Solution
The chemical substances which are used to check or stop the growth of harmful micro-organisms in food and prevent the spoiling of food are called food preservatives .
Some common food preservatives are :
(i) Salt: Common salt is used to preserve meat, fish, amla, raw mangoes and tamarind etc.
(ii) Sugar : Jams, jellies and squashes are preserved by sugar. Sugar reduces the moisture contents which inhibits the growth of bacteria which spoil food.
(iii) Oil : Edible oils are used as preservatives in vegetables and pickles.
(iv) Vinegar: It is used to preserve fruits, vegetables, fish, meat and pickles.
