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E1202ThickenerLow concern
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP)
In plain words
The short version
Cross-linked PVP — an insoluble polyphenol-binding clarifier for beer, wine, and fruit juices.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI not specified — considered safe. Very poorly absorbed: in rat studies with radiolabelled PVPP, most of the dose was found in the faeces and only trace amounts reached the organs. Filtered out of beverages before bottling — final product contains essentially no PVPP.
The detail
Manufactured by cross-linking polyvinylpyrrolidone (E1201) to form an insoluble polymer matrix. The cross-links lock the polymer into an insoluble form that can be filtered out after binding the target impurities.
The standard polyphenol-removal agent in beer brewing (binds haze-forming polyphenols, filtered off to give bright stable beer), wine fining, and fruit-juice clarification. Also a fast-acting tablet disintegrant in pharmaceuticals. Typical use: 10–80 g per hectoliter beer.
White to off-white powder, insoluble in water and most solvents. Swells on water contact. Filtered or centrifuged from process liquid after polyphenol binding.
Permitted globally with specified use categories (mainly beverage clarification).
Sources
- EFSA: Re-evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202) as food additives and extension of use of E 1201 (EFSA Journal 2020;18(8):6215), PMC full text — European Food Safety Authority (FAF Panel), 2020. No numerical ADI needed; no safety concern
- WHO JECFA database: Insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidone / polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (INS 1202), ADI not specified (27th meeting, 1983) — WHO / FAO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1983. ADI not specified
- US eCFR: 21 CFR 173.50 Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone — US Office of the Federal Register / FDA, 2026. US use as beverage clarifier, removed by filtration
- EU: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 establishing the Union list of food additives (Annex II to Reg. 1333/2008), as adopted — European Union (Publications Office), 2011. EU food-additive use limited to tablet forms
Checked against these sources on .
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