01 Jul 2025 The preservative equation: How to stay compliant
Preservatives and antioxidants play a vital role in keeping food safe and extending shelf life by preventing spoilage from microorganisms. It is common to use more than one preservative or antioxidant in a single product to achieve the optimum desired effect.
However, it is important that product developers and food manufacturers comply with the specific regulatory limits, as set out in the Preservatives and Antioxidants Regulations (R. 965/1977) to ensure consumer safety. There is some fine print in the regulations that is sometimes missed.
These regulations state that where two or more preservatives or antioxidants are intended to be used in a foodstuff, as allowed by Annexure A or B respectively, a mixture thereof (if compatible) may be used, provided the sum of the fractions obtained when the amount of each preservative or antioxidant used is divided by the maximum permitted amount of such preservative or antioxidant does not exceed one.
In simple terms, to use preservatives as an example, this means that if you use more than one preservative, you must use smaller amounts of one or both; such that when combined, they stay within the legal limit.
This can be calculated as follows:
- Calculate the fraction for each preservative – i.e. divide the amount added by the amount permitted to get to a fraction.
- Add the fractions together.
- If the result is more than 1, the combination is not permitted; but if less than 1, the combination is permitted.
Example:
The combination of 60mg/kg Preservative A and 100 mg/kg Preservative B in a foodstuff is above the allowed limit and therefore not permitted, despite each individual preservative being under its respective limit.
However, if we adjust the ratios to yield a sum less than 1, the combination of preservatives is now below the limit and is permitted:
This approach ensures that when preservatives are combined, the total load in the food remains within safe limits, while at the same time allowing product developers and manufacturers the flexibility to use blends of preservatives and/or antioxidants.
While combining multiple preservatives and/or antioxidants may be effective in new product development, it must be done responsibly, in accordance with the regulations relating to preservatives and antioxidants. Always check the relevant annexure to confirm which preservatives or antioxidants are permitted for your product, and then use the fraction formula to ensure the total usage does not exceed the legal limit.
Source: FACTS SA – Need help with food additive permissibility or calculations? Contact their regulatory and nutrition team.
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