PURPOSE: To provide the subject material capable of maintaining the freshness of fresh perishables such as vegetables, fruits and flowers, etc., for a long period of time by carrying on a packaging material substrate an anti-microbial, freshness-maintaining agent prepared from the genus Cruciferae plant, the genus Allium plant, etc., as raw material and, if necessary, a specific freshness- maintaining agent.

CONSTITUTION: An anti-microbial, freshness-maintaining agent prepared from the genus Cruciferae plant such as Wasabi japonica or Armoracia rustiana, the genus Allium plant such as Allium sativum or Allium tuberosum, etc., is, if necessary, combined with (A) a substance capable of absorbing ethylene (e.g. active carbon), (B) a substance capable of decomposing ethylene (e.g. a phthalocyanine compound), (C) a water-absorbing resin (e.g. a polyacrylic acid- series highly water absorbing resin) and (D) a far IR ray-radiating ceramic. The composition is blended e.g. with a raw material for packaging material, molded and carried one the same to provide the objective material.