Cultured dextrose, also known as fermented sugar or cultured sugar, is a natural antimicrobial agent produced through the controlled fermentation of dextrose (typically from corn, cane, or beets) using food-grade bacteria. This process generates organic acids (primarily propionic, lactic, and acetic acids) and peptides that inhibit microbial growth, making it a clean-label alternative to synthetic preservatives in the food industry. In ready-to-eat (RTE) meats, it's commonly applied to control pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, which is a major concern due to its ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures and persist in processing environments.