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E283PreservativeLow concern
Potassium Propionate
In plain words
The short version
The potassium salt of propionic acid — sodium-free bakery antifungal.
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
JECFA set a group ADI "not limited" for propionic acid and its salts. EFSA's 2014 re-evaluation found that the data did not allow an ADI to be set, but concluded there would be no safety concern at the currently authorised uses and use levels. Propionate is a normal short-chain fatty acid from colonic fermentation; dietary additions are metabolized identically.
The detail
Produced by neutralizing propionic acid with potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate. Less common in industry than the calcium or sodium forms but used in sodium-restricted bakery formulations.
Used at 0.1% to 0.4% in low-sodium breads, tortillas, processed cheese, and specialty bakery products where the sodium of E281 or the calcium of E282 would interfere with formulation. The active anion (propionate) is identical to the other propionate salts.
White hygroscopic crystals or powder. Very soluble in water. Effective in low-pH bakery doughs.
In the EU, propionic acid and its salts (E 280–283) are allowed only in specific foods, mostly prepacked bread and bakery products, with maximum levels — for example up to 3,000 mg/kg in prepacked sliced bread and rye bread and 2,000 mg/kg in prepacked rolls, tortillas and pitta — and for surface treatment of ripened cheese and cheese analogues.
Sources
- EFSA ANS Panel — Re-evaluation of propionic acid (E 280), sodium propionate (E 281), calcium propionate (E 282) and potassium propionate (E 283) as food additives (2014) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal 12(7):3779), 2014. safety: ADI status and no safety concern at authorised uses
- JECFA — Potassium propionate (INS 283), evaluation 1973 (group ADI maintained 1997) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1997. safety: JECFA group ADI "not limited"
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, Annex II (consolidated text of 18.08.2026) — conditions of use for E 280–283 — EUR-Lex, Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. regulation: EU allows propionates only in listed foods with maximum levels
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.