Calcium propionate (E282) is a preservative, antimould and antirope agent. Calcium propionate has been widely used as a preservative in bakery and in bread. The addition of 0.3 % calcium propionate prolonged the shelf-life of salt reduced bread to 10-12 days. It is sometimes not carefully used, or a high concentration is added to preserve products. High consumption of calcium propionate can lead to several health problems. Calcium propionate is used to prevent milk fever in cows and as a feed supplement. It is considered to be safe and effective treatment given for one or two days to prevent milk fever and/or to support treatment of milk fever. Calcium propionate is generally recognized as safe by FDA when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.

Ethylparaben is produced naturally and found in several fruits and insects, where it acts as an antimicrobial agent. Ethylparaben is mainly used as antiseptics in cosmetics, food and medicine (E number E214). It is also can be used as feed preservatives and antiseptic for bacteria. Ethylparaben is readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin. It is hydrolyzed to p-hydroxybenzoic acid and rapidly excreted in urine without accumulating in the body. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market. Broad concentration ranges reported in each product category in 1981 were < 0.1% and > 0.1% to 1%. Studies show the in vivo estrogenicity of MP and EP at human exposure levels, and indicate that populations exposed to large amounts of MP and EP may have a high burden of estrogenicity-related diseases.

A. W. Van Hoffman was the first to isolate sorbic acid from the berries of the mountain ash tree in the year 1859. The antimicrobial (preservative) properties of sorbic acid were recognized in the 1940's. In the late 1940's and 1950's it became commercially available. Sorbic acid and its potassium salt are now used in many countries in the production of sweet white wines. In the United States, BATF permits the use of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate to preserve wine. The maximum concentration of sorbic acid allowed in finished wine is 300 mg/L, (300 ppm). The antimicrobial action of sorbic acid is primarily against yeasts and molds. It's action against bacteria appears to be selective. The soluble sorbates are preferred when it is desired to use the preservative in liquid form, or when aqueous systems are to be preserved. Sodium sorbate in solid form is unstable and very rapidly undergoes oxidation on exposure to atmospheric oxygen. It is therefore not produced on the industrial scale. Aqueous solutions of sodium sorbate remain stable for some time. Calcium sorbate is used in the manufacture of fungistatic wrappers because it is highly stable to oxidation, but this use is very limited. Sorbic acid and sorbates can be directly added into the product. The products can be dipped or sprayed with aqueous solutions of sorbates. Dusting of food with dry sorbic acid is also possible but less recommended because sorbic acid irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Sorbic acid and particularly calcium sorbate can be used as active substances in fungistatic wrappers. A general survey of the numerous uses of sorbic acid in the food sector will be given. Some fields of application will be discussed that are either unimportant or not permitted in the U.K.

Benzoic acid is a natural ingredient occurring in many foodstuffs and in plant extracts. Benzoic acid, its salts and esters are used as preservatives in cosmetic products, with a maximum concentration of 0.5 %. Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate are on the FDA list of substances that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Both may be used as antimicrobial agents, flavouring agents and as adjuvants with a current maximum level of 0.1% in food. Benzoic acid is a constituent of Whitfield Ointment, which is used for the treatment of fungal skin diseases such as tinea, ringworm, and athlete's foot. Adverse effect of Whitfield Ointment: occasionally, a localized mild inflammatory response occurs.

Propionic acid (PA), also known as propanoic acid, with chemical formula C3H6O2, is an organic acid used as a food additive and found naturally on the skin and in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a byproduct of fermentation reactions and is also produced industrially from ethylene or ethanol and carbon monoxide. Propionic acid is a fungicide and bactericide, registered to controlfungi and bacteria in stored grains, hay, grain storage areas, poultry litter,and drinking water for livestock and poultry. As a food preservative, propionic acid prevents mold in bread and baked goods, and it is used as a flavoring agent in cheese and other packaged goods. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers it safe and therefore, has no limitation on its use. It has been demonstrated that PA lowers fatty acids content in liver and plasma, reduces food intake, exerts immunosuppressive actions and probably improves tissue insulin sensitivity. Thus increased production of PA by the microbiota might be considered beneficial in the context of prevention of obesity and diabetes type 2. The molecular mechanisms by which PA may exert this plethora of physiological effects are slowly being elucidated and include intestinal cyclooxygenase enzyme, the G-protein coupled receptors 41 and 43 and activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, in turn inhibiting the sentinel transcription factor NF-κB and thus increasing the threshold for inflammatory responses in general. Taken together, PA emerges as a major mediator in the link between nutrition, gut microbiota and physiology. The sodium salt of propionic acid was previously approved in Canada as an active ingredient in Amino-Cerv (used to treat inflammation or injury of the cervix).

A. W. Van Hoffman was the first to isolate sorbic acid from the berries of the mountain ash tree in the year 1859. The antimicrobial (preservative) properties of sorbic acid were recognized in the 1940's. In the late 1940's and 1950's it became commercially available. Sorbic acid and its potassium salt are now used in many countries in the production of sweet white wines. In the United States, BATF permits the use of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate to preserve wine. The maximum concentration of sorbic acid allowed in finished wine is 300 mg/L, (300 ppm). The antimicrobial action of sorbic acid is primarily against yeasts and molds. It's action against bacteria appears to be selective. The soluble sorbates are preferred when it is desired to use the preservative in liquid form, or when aqueous systems are to be preserved. Sodium sorbate in solid form is unstable and very rapidly undergoes oxidation on exposure to atmospheric oxygen. It is therefore not produced on the industrial scale. Aqueous solutions of sodium sorbate remain stable for some time. Calcium sorbate is used in the manufacture of fungistatic wrappers because it is highly stable to oxidation, but this use is very limited. Sorbic acid and sorbates can be directly added into the product. The products can be dipped or sprayed with aqueous solutions of sorbates. Dusting of food with dry sorbic acid is also possible but less recommended because sorbic acid irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Sorbic acid and particularly calcium sorbate can be used as active substances in fungistatic wrappers. A general survey of the numerous uses of sorbic acid in the food sector will be given. Some fields of application will be discussed that are either unimportant or not permitted in the U.K.

A. W. Van Hoffman was the first to isolate sorbic acid from the berries of the mountain ash tree in the year 1859. The antimicrobial (preservative) properties of sorbic acid were recognized in the 1940's. In the late 1940's and 1950's it became commercially available. Sorbic acid and its potassium salt are now used in many countries in the production of sweet white wines. In the United States, BATF permits the use of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate to preserve wine. The maximum concentration of sorbic acid allowed in finished wine is 300 mg/L, (300 ppm). The antimicrobial action of sorbic acid is primarily against yeasts and molds. It's action against bacteria appears to be selective. The soluble sorbates are preferred when it is desired to use the preservative in liquid form, or when aqueous systems are to be preserved. Sodium sorbate in solid form is unstable and very rapidly undergoes oxidation on exposure to atmospheric oxygen. It is therefore not produced on the industrial scale. Aqueous solutions of sodium sorbate remain stable for some time. Calcium sorbate is used in the manufacture of fungistatic wrappers because it is highly stable to oxidation, but this use is very limited. Sorbic acid and sorbates can be directly added into the product. The products can be dipped or sprayed with aqueous solutions of sorbates. Dusting of food with dry sorbic acid is also possible but less recommended because sorbic acid irritates the skin and mucous membranes. Sorbic acid and particularly calcium sorbate can be used as active substances in fungistatic wrappers. A general survey of the numerous uses of sorbic acid in the food sector will be given. Some fields of application will be discussed that are either unimportant or not permitted in the U.K.