Propionic Acid
Function: Preservative
E280 is the European food-additive number for Propionic Acid, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Propionic Acid (E280) is a preservative used as a food additive.
What is E280 used for?
Propionic Acid (E280) 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.
Is E280 safe or restricted?
E280 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No regulatory flags” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E280
- What is E280?
- E280 is the E-number for Propionic Acid, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Propionic Acid (E280) is a preservative used as a food additive.
- What is E280 used for?
- Propionic Acid (E280) 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.
- Is E280 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E280 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E280 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as "No regulatory flags" 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 E280 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.