Propionic Acid
This is what the ingredient is.
Propionic acid is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid found in dairy products and produced during fermentation.
Here is why it shows up on the label.
Used as a mold inhibitor and preservative in baked goods, cheese, and animal feed. Also used as a flavoring agent.
Here is what food agencies say.
The FDA lists it as Generally Recognized as Safe. European food agencies allow it, with no specified ADI due to low toxicity. Approved globally.
Here is what research has found.
Occurs naturally in Swiss cheese at levels up to 1%. an FAO/WHO expert committee confirms safety. Metabolized as a normal short-chain fatty acid.
Here are a few things worth knowing.
Safe at food-use levels. Concentrated acid is corrosive and irritating. May have characteristic pungent odor.
Sources
- FDA CFR 21
- EFSA Panel
- JECFA Monograph
How to read this page
We publish plain facts about this ingredient so a label is easier to read. This is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, avoid, or use anything. For a personal health question, talk with a clinician who knows your history.