Additive · Preservative

E281 — Sodium propionate

E281 (Sodium propionate) appears in the ingredient lists of 30 products sold in Australia. Function: preservative.

30products with a complete record
10%rated A or B on Nutri-Score
3.1 gsugars per 100 g (median)
0.95 gsalt per 100 g (median)

Nutri-Score

How rated products spread
A 0%B 10%C 48%D 29%E 14%

21 rated products

Median values

Per 100 g, across all 30 products
Energy277 kcal
Sugars3.1 g
Saturates3.7 g
Salt0.95 g

Status in the United States (FDA)

Listed in the FDA inventory “Substances Added to Food”, with the regulations 21 CFR 180.23, 184.1784.

Technical effects listed by the FDA: antimicrobial agent, flavoring agent or adjuvant

The inventory is a partial list, and a listing is not an FDA approval of every use; the regulations set the permitted uses.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Substances Added to Food (updated 9/8/2026), public domain · CAS 137-40-6 via Wikidata (CC0)

Products containing it, by country

Products listing this additive in each country edition of Shelfpedia (Open Food Facts data)

Products

30 products, most viewed first.

Source: Open Food Facts export of 23 October 2026, ODbL · Shelfpedia calculations (medians, distributions).