substance added to food to preserve it by slowing natural decay caused by bacteria, fungi, etc. (in the EU, preservatives are given E numbers E200 - 297), substances which prolong the shelf-life of foodstuffs by protecting them against deterioration caused by micro-organisms, toiduaineile või silole säilivuse suurendamiseks väikeses koguses lisatav antiseptik, ained, mis pikendavad toidu säilimisaega, kaitstes seda mikrobioloogilise riknemise eest