What is food preservation? Name three common chemical food preservatives. [3 MARKS]
Definition: 1.5 Marks
Naming: 1.5 Marks
A process to prolong the life of food items by preventing their spoilage by action of microbes is called food preservation.
Common chemical food preservatives are:
1. Benzoates (such as sodium benzoate, benzoic acid)
2. Nitrites (such as sodium nitrite)
3. Sulphites (such as sulphur dioxide)
4. Sorbates (such as sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate.