Preservative · EU 281
Sodium Propionate
FDA status: Approved. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Sodium Propionate 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 #107 of 417.
- #107 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
The verdict
Sodium Propionate is FDA-approved, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it. By Open Food Facts product count it sits #107 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (74th percentile).
- 4/5
- Low Risk
- Approved
- FDA status
- #107 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 0
- state regulations
Product-footprint and regulatory snapshot
Sodium Propionate: 201 tracked U.S. products (common band, #107 of 417) frame how often this additive appears on shelves.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked Products | 201 · #107 of 417 | Open Food Facts (US) |
| FDA Status | Approved | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | 281 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | - | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | 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 Sodium Propionate?
Sodium propanoate or SODIUM PROPIONATE is the sodium salt of propionic acid.
Health Concerns
- EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of propionic acid -E 280-, sodium propionate -E 281-, calcium propionate -E 282- and potassium propionate -E 2
Common Uses
Shelf-footprint peer axes
Nationwide peers for a common OFF footprint
Nearest OFF product-count peers (201 tracked here); safety-score column omitted on prevalence-led pages.
Nearest OFF product count to 201
Nearest other additives by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Propionate safe to consume?
Sodium Propionate scores 4/5 (Low Risk). FDA status is Approved. On the Open Food Facts U.S. sample it is a common additive (201 tracked products, #107 of 417), so product footprint, not just the score label, frames how widely a shopper will meet it.
What is Sodium Propionate used for in food?
Sodium Propionate shows up as Processed foods, baked goods, beverages in the Preservative class, and the OFF sample puts it in the common footprint band (201 products).
Where does Sodium Propionate sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #107 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
What health concerns are associated with Sodium Propionate?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Sodium Propionate: EFSA evaluation: Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of propionic acid -E 280-, sodium propionate -E 281-, calcium propionate -E 282- and potassium propionate -E 2. These findings inform its safety score of 4/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.