Potassium Benzoate
Function: Preservatives
E212 is the European food-additive number for Potassium Benzoate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Potassium Benzoate (E212) is a preservative used as a food additive.
What is E212 used for?
Potassium Benzoate (E212) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Preservatives (E-numbers).
Is E212 safe or restricted?
E212 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as “Some concern” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E212 vegan or vegetarian?
Potassium Benzoate (E212) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E212?
E212 appears in 2,611 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Soda Water / Club Soda, Sparkling Flavored Water, and Sparkling Water.
- Soda Water / Club Soda822
- Sparkling Flavored Water361
- Sparkling Water259
- Cola209
- Flavored Water138
- Soft Drinks120
- Energy Drink104
- Iced Tea80
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E212 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E212
- What is E212?
- E212 is the E-number for Potassium Benzoate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Potassium Benzoate (E212) is a preservative used as a food additive.
- What is E212 used for?
- Potassium Benzoate (E212) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E212?
- E212 appears in 2,611 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Soda Water / Club Soda, Sparkling Flavored Water, and Sparkling Water. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E212 vegan or vegetarian?
- Potassium Benzoate (E212) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E212 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E212 is approved for use in the EU but has drawn regulatory attention — its conditions of use or acceptable daily intake have been re-examined by EFSA or equivalent bodies. Forkin classifies it as ‘Some concern’ and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E212 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan and vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.