The present invention provides for the stabilization of the food grade antifungal agent, pimaricin, against the degradative effect of oxygen in a manner that does not compromise the activity of pimaricin toward fungi that are typically the cause of spoilage in high acid beverages. This invention relates to beverage preservative systems and beverage products comprising the preservative systems. In particular, this invention relates to beverage preservative systems having formulations suitable to meet consumer demand for healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients.