Does Freeze Dried Food Need Preservatives?

The answer is short and sweet: No. Freeze-dried food should not need any preservatives added to it. If you are adding things like salt for flavor, that is one thing. But there should be nothing extra added for the purpose of extending shelf life.

Freeze-dried food lasts because of the removal of moisture. With 98–99% of the moisture removed, bacteria, mold, and yeast cannot grow. When freeze-dried food is stored properly—using airtight packaging, oxygen absorbers, and kept in a cool, dark place—it can safely last 25 to 30 years without preservatives.

In other words, the preservation happens during the freeze-drying process itself. Good ingredients, proper processing, and proper storage are what create long shelf life, not added chemicals.