preservative

[/prɪˈzɜːrvətɪv/]
nounmasculinepl: preservatives / conservantes
conservante
1. a substance added to food or other products to prevent decay or decomposition
This juice contains no artificial preservatives.
Este suco não contém conservantes artificiais.
2. something that serves to preserve or maintain something in its original state
Exercise is a good preservative of health.
O exercício é um bom conservador da saúde.
3. in chemistry, a substance that inhibits spoilage or deterioration
Salt acts as a natural preservative for meat.
O sal funciona como conservante natural para a carne.
In Brazil, food labeling laws require listing of conservantes (preservatives), and there is growing consumer preference for 'sem conservantes' (preservative-free) products. In the USA, the FDA strictly regulates which preservatives can be used in food products, and 'all-natural' or 'no preservatives added' claims are marketing strategies commonly seen on packaged goods.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
additiveantioxidantconservanteagent
Antonyms / Antônimos
spoilantcontaminant

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
conservante
standard term used in food labeling and everyday speech
São Paulo
conservante
common in commercial and industrial contexts
Rio de Janeiro
conservante
standard usage, same as general Brazilian
Portugal
conservante
same as Brazilian Portuguese, used in EU food regulations

Related Words

preservationpreserveconserveadditiveshelf-lifedecay

Related Idioms & Phrases

food with preservatives
preservative-free
natural preservatives
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →