PDA

View Full Version : Are natural preservatives very dangerous?


Dinosaur Man
June 3rd, 2004, 12:31 AM
I'm curious about the safety of natural preservatives(ex. rosemary and tea tree oil) since I came across a few articles from the internet saying they have dangerous side effects or pregnant women and epilectics should stay away from them or that you should only use them in moderate amounts. Are there any natural preservatives that are perfectly safe(I mean no side effects, no allergens, and also anyone could consume them) to consume?
ynaffit
June 3rd, 2004, 12:54 AM
wow, tea tree oil is used in food? tea tree oil shouldn't be ingested at all.
catswym
June 3rd, 2004, 11:20 AM
i think citric acid is often used as a natural preservative. since it's a natural product (found in, you guessed it, citrus fruits) it's probably as safe as it gets. although people can be allergic to it. i don't know that there is anything that NOONE would be allergic to, tho.
Thalia
June 3rd, 2004, 12:05 PM
I think you have to research on a case by case basis. We know that things found in nature (what I am assuming by "natural") can be used as drugs and therefore are capable of strong physiological effects on the body. Therefore I don't think it is ever safe to assume that natural=safer. Aspirin, arsenic, nicotine, deadly nightshade and uranium are all naturally occuring substances. On the otherhand there are man made substances which are very, very safe and inert.

salt and vinegar are probably the safest natural preservatives.
Dinosaur Man
June 3rd, 2004, 12:24 PM
What about sea salt? Is it a natural preservative?
1vegan
June 3rd, 2004, 02:11 PM
salt and vinegar are probably the safest natural preservatives.

It all depends on the quantaties.

On the working with hazards training they said that eating 200 grams of salt would kill a person pretty quick. (iirc)

A natural preservative is usually a way to prevent decay in ssome way.

Mostly by making it very sweet, very sour, out of reach of oxygen by keeping it under fluid like water, oil, vinegar.

Some natural preservatives are not so much for preservation but more for presentation.

iirc citric acid is mainly to retain the colour of the product.