Orthophenyl phenol
Function: Preservative
E231 is the European food-additive number for Orthophenyl phenol, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Orthophenyl phenol (E231) is a preservative used as a food additive.
What is E231 used for?
Orthophenyl phenol (E231) 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 E231 safe or restricted?
E231 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 E231
- What is E231?
- E231 is the E-number for Orthophenyl phenol, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Orthophenyl phenol (E231) is a preservative used as a food additive.
- What is E231 used for?
- Orthophenyl phenol (E231) 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 E231 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 E231 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E231 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 E231 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.