Which chemical compound is widely used as a food preservative in acidic foods such as fruit juices, squashes, and pickles to prevent microbial growth?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Sodium benzoate acts as a broad-spectrum chemical preservative in acidic consumables by halting the proliferation of yeasts, molds, and bacteria. Basic substances like sodium hydroxide or copper sulfate serve entirely different industrial and chemical synthesis roles rather than food preservation. Food safety regulations strictly dictate the permissible concentration limits of benzoates in commercial beverages.