E-number E200 to E299 Preservatives

The purpose of preservatives are to prolong the shelf life of products.The shelf life is one of the most important parameters that help determine a product cost. The longer the shelf life, the more likelihood of it being bought and the less likelihood that it will be thrown away as waste.

As with most of the e-numbers there are a big focus on making the products perform in a certain way that in most cases focus on the needs of the manufacture and in second place focus on the needs of the consumer.

Typical uses for e-numbers as preservatives

Mould and bacteria is everywhere and to prevent these from starting to grow on i.e. dried fruits they are treated with the e-number E220 Sulphur Dioxide. If the product in question is some sort of cured meat like corned beef, ham or bacon they are often treated with nitrate and Nitrite E-number E249, E250, E251 and E252 during the curing process.

Alternatives to e-number preservatives

There are several good alternatives to preserving foods. Freezing canning or drying have been around for a very long time and are still very effective at preserving the food.

Also there are the traditional methods where you use sugar, salt or vinegar to preserve some foods. This method has the drawback that the method influences the taste of the original food product. In some cases it is the special flavor you are after.

Preservatives

E200 Sorbic acid

E202 Potassium sorbate

E203 Calcium sorbate

E210 Benzoic acid

E211 Sodium benzoate

E212 Potassium benzoate

E213 Calcium benzoate

E214 Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate

E215 Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate

E216 Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate

E217 Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate

E218 Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

E219 Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

E220 Sulphur dioxide

E221 Sodium sulphite

E222 Sodium hydrogen sulphite

E223 Sodium metabisuiphite

E224 Potassium metabisulphite

E226 Calcium sulphite

E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite

E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite

E230 Biphenyl; diphenyl

E231 Orthophenyl phenol

E232 Sodium orthophenyl phenol

E234 Nisin

E235 Natamycin

E239 Hexamethylene tetramine

E242 Dimethyl dicarbonate

E249 Potassium nitrite

E250 Sodium nitrite

E251 Sodium nitrate

E252 Potassium nitrate

E280 Propionic acid

E281 Sodium propionate

E282 Calcium propionate

E283 Potassium propionate

E284 Boric acid

E285 Sodium tetraborate; borax

E1105 Lysozyme