Forkin
E262INo regulatory flagsIn 3,961 productsTypically vegan

Sodium acetate

Function: Preservative

E262I is the European food-additive number for Sodium acetate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. SODIUM ACETATE, also abbreviated NaOAc,[8] is the sodium salt of acetic acid.

What is E262I used for?

Sodium acetate (E262I) 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 E262I safe or restricted?

E262I 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, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.

Is E262I vegan or vegetarian?

Sodium acetate (E262I) 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 E262I?

E262I appears in 3,961 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in sausages, chicken (general) and whole turkey.

  • Sausages576
  • Chicken (General)391
  • Whole Turkey274
  • Pork (General)212
  • Bacon104
  • Potato Chips90
  • White Bread84
  • Mayonnaise82

Often appears alongside

Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E262I 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 E262I

What is E262I?
E262I is the E-number for Sodium acetate, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. SODIUM ACETATE, also abbreviated NaOAc,[8] is the sodium salt of acetic acid.
What is E262I used for?
Sodium acetate (E262I) 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 E262I?
E262I appears in 3,961 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in sausages, chicken (general) and whole turkey. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
Is E262I vegan or vegetarian?
Sodium acetate (E262I) 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 E262I safe, and is it banned anywhere?
E262I 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 E262I — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.

Related additives (Preservative)

Regulatory-level classification based on EFSA re-evaluations and exposure assessments, IARC monograph groupings, the EU food additive register (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and mandatory warning labels, ECHA harmonised CLP classifications, FAO/WHO JECFA acceptable-daily-intake reviews, and national measures (US FDA, Health Canada, California OEHHA Proposition 65). Informational only — not medical or dietary advice. See methodology for the rubric.