Säilitusaine aitab toidul säilida ja pikendab tema säilivusaega – Preservatives help preserve food and lengthen its storage / shelf life.
Be sure to use the word säilitus/aine when speaking of preservatives found in food and not preservatiiv, since the latter means condom in Estonian (as does préservatif in French). Needless to say, some pretty hilarious food labels have resulted from poor translation…
What do condoms have to do with preservation, you might ask. The general meaning of preservatiiv = takistus-, hoide- või kaitse/vahend – an obstructive, sustaining or protective device. One meaning of preserve is “to protect or spare; to keep safe from harm or injury.” Or unwanted pregnancy and STDs.
Riina Kindlam, Tallinn
