Antioxidant · EU 326
Potassium Lactate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Potassium Lactate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 4 out of 5 (Low Risk), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved. By tracked product count it ranks #74 of 417.
- #74 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Potassium Lactate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #74 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (82nd percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #74 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Potassium Lactate: 492 tracked U.S. products (common band, #74 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 492 · #74 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 326 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Antioxidant | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 4 / 5 (Low Risk) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
What is Potassium Lactate?
POTASSIUM LACTATE is a compound with formula KC3H5O3. It is produced by neutralizing lactic acid which is fermented from a sugar source. Potassium lactate is commonly used in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life and increase food safety as it has a broad antimicrobial action. lactic acid and lactates can be consumed by all religious groups, vegans and vegetarians. Although the name refers to milk, it is not made from milk and thus suitable for people with milk allergy or lactose intolerance.
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (492 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 492
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Potassium Lactate safe to consume?
Potassium Lactate scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (492 tracked products, #74 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Potassium Lactate used for in food?
Potassium Lactate shows up as Oils, fats, processed foods, baked goods in the Antioxidant class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (492 products).
Where does Potassium Lactate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #74 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.