This book aims to support the continued safe and effective use of preservatives within these current constraints, giving detailed information on the practical use of the major antimicrobial preservatives. Uniquely, it couples this with the current understanding of their modes of action, at the levels of cellular physiology and biochemistry, in such a way as to provide a sound scientific basis for their efficacy. It is hoped that such an approach will also encourage the future logical development and use of preservatives.