Abstract: The invention provides a shelf-life extender for upholding the freshness of food, such as meat, vegetables, fruits, etc., in retail packages or in a refrigerator for an extended period of time. An isothiocyanic acid compound is supported on a matrix such as a natural mucilaginous polysaccharide or a solid organic acid and the supported compound is packaged in synthetic resin film or nonwoven fabric. The invention further provides an aqueous gel composition comprising a specified surfactant, an isothiocyanic acid compound, and a gelling agent and a hydrophobic gel composition comprising a specified hydrophobic dispersion medium, an isothiocyanic acid compound, and a gelling agent.

Abstract: The freshness of meat, vegetables and fruits in a refrigerator or food storage box can be retained for a long period of time by using (1) a freshness retaining gel composition which comprises a freshness retainer component comprising an isothiocyanic acid compound and an aliphatic carboxylic acid or (2) a freshness retaining gel composition which comprises a freshness retainer component comprising an isothiocyanic acid compound, a nonionic surfactant or a fatty acid ester, and a gelling agent.