FAQs about food preservatives

About use

• Q.How much of a scent is retained when foods are sealed with ethanol evaporation agents (Antimold^® series/Negamold^® series)?
  A.It is not completely imperceptible, but if they are used in proper amounts, very few people will detect any trace.
  If the concentration is high (the amount of food is small), there may be a faint scent of Ethanol or the tongue may detect a slight tingling or bitterness, but it is not an abnormality.
• Q.Which preservative or grade should I choose?
  A.Please refer to “How to choose food preservatives.”
• Q.How long is the shelf life?
  A.Make sure to conduct packaging tests to check the flavor, texture, degradation level, etc., in actual packaging form. Even the same food is affected by the packaging method, manufacturing season and environment, storage temperature, etc.
  For a plain-wrap shelf life, please refer to “Quality Preservation Effect (Example).”
• Q.Where should products be stored?
  A.Avoid direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes, and store in a cool place. Since ethanol evaporation agents contain Ethanol, pay extra attention to heat and flame.
• Q.What is the use-by date?
  A.Check the description given on the outer cardboard box of each product.
• Q.How can the manufacturer be contacted?
  A.Make an inquiry from “Inquiries related to food preservatives.” The toll-free phone number is printed on the packet surface as well.

About foods to which products are attached

• Q.What are the effects related to pregnancy or lactation?
  A.Have full confidence because the material used is as safe as that used in food.
• Q.What is the effect on small children?
  A.Have full confidence because the material used is as safe as that used in food.
• Q.What is the effect on driving?
  A.Since the amount of Ethanol is small, there is no problem.
• Q.What if Antimold-Mild^® is accidentally swallowed or eaten?
  A.There is no effect on the human body.
  Since the silica gel powder contained is passed out of the body without being absorbed into the body and without reaction, no special treatment is required.
  The description “DO NOT EAT” is clearly indicated on the printed surface of the product, and means that it is not food.

About use

• Q.How much of a scent of Ethanol is retained when foods are sealed with Antimold-Mild^®?
  A.It is not completely imperceptible, but if they are used in proper amounts, very few people will detect any trace.
  If the concentration is high (the amount of food is small), there may be a faint scent of Ethanol or the tongue may detect a slight tingling or bitterness, but it is not an abnormality.
• Q.How much food is appropriate per packet of Antimold-Mild^®?
  A.An appropriate amount is 50 to 120g of food per packet.
  However, this is affected by the type of food, packaging method, manufacturing season and environment, storage temperature, etc.
  Also, it is not suitable for fresh foods and foods with a high water content.
  If the amount of food is large relative to Antimold-Mild^®, the effect weakens with the result that mold may grow. Conversely, if the amount of food is small, Ethanol irritation may result, or the tongue may detect a slight tingling or bitterness.
• Q.How long is the shelf life?
  A.It has the effect of extending the shelf life of the target food (compared with the case where Antimold-Mild^® is not used).
  It is affected by the type of food, packaging method, manufacturing season and environment, storage temperature, etc.
  For the plain-wrap shelf life, please refer to “Quality Preservation Effect (Example).”
• Q.Where should products be stored?
  A.Avoid direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes, and store in a cool place.
  Since the product contains Ethanol, pay extra attention to heat and flame.
• Q.Is it possible to refrigerate after sealing with food?
  A.There is no problem.
• Q.What is the use-by date?
  A.Check the description given on the outer packaging bag.
  If an individual packaging bag is opened, use within one hour.
  Once used, Antimold-Mild^® cannot be reused.
• Q.Disposal method of Antimold-Mild^®?
  A.Follow your municipal government’s sorting method for disposal.
  * Since the contents of Antimold-Mild^® are not combustible, it is handled as “non-burnable garbage” in most cases.
• Q.What if Antimold-Mild^® becomes wet with water or freezes?
  A.If Antimold-Mild^® becomes wet with water, the effectiveness weakens; therefore, it should not be used. Even if it is frozen, there is no change.
• Q.What if Antimold-Mild^® is microwaved?
  A.If Antimold-Mild^® is microwaved, the packet may burst, and the contents may leak out. Make sure to microwave the food after removing Antimold-Mild^®.
• Q.How can the manufacturer be contacted?
  A.Make an inquiry from the “Inquiries related to food preservatives.” The toll-free phone number is printed on the packet surface as well.

About foods to which products are attached

• Q.What are the effects related to pregnancy or lactation?
  A.Have full confidence because the material used is as safe as that used in food.
• Q.What is the effect on small children?
  A.Have full confidence because the material used is as safe as that used in food.
• Q.What is the effect on driving?
  A.Since the amount of Ethanol is small, there is no problem.
• Q.What if Antimold-Mild^® is accidentally swallowed or eaten?
  A.There is no effect on the human body.
  Since the silica gel powder contained is passed out of the body without being absorbed into the body and without reaction, no special treatment is required.
  The description “DO NOT EAT” is clearly indicated on the printed surface of the product, and means that it is not food.

About Antimold^®

• Q.What does the word “Antimold” mean?
  A.The word was made by combining anti (to oppose/counteract) and mold, and means to suppress the growth of mold.
• Q.When did Antimold-Mild^® become available on the market?
  A.It was released in 1978.
  Initially, we started with a primitive experiment in which foods were coated with a small amount of Ethanol, but eventually we found that it was effective to carry Ethanol to foods after being once converted to a vapor.
  Then, we conducted experiments, such as impregnation of cotton, starch etc., with Ethanol and solidifying it like briquette fuel, and finally, the current form was adopted.
• Q.What kind of food is it used for?
  A.Major products targeted are semi-baked Western confectioneries, Japanese confectioneries, Chinese noodles, udon noodles, bread, delicacies, and so on.
  It is also used for various other foods, such as beans and brown sugar.
  However, Antimold is not suited for foods high in water activity value, such as fresh Japanese and Western confectioneries and boiled noodles, because other common bacteria may become a problem in addition to mold growth.