Foods Containing E212 (Potassium Benzoate)
E212 (Potassium Benzoate) is the potassium salt of benzoic acid, produced synthetically, used as a preservative to help prevent spoilage by stopping the growth of bacteria, moulds and yeasts. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E212
E212 is used across soft drinks, dried fruit, processed meats, sauces, baked goods and wine. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Soft drinks
- Dried fruit
- Processed meats
- Sauces
- Baked goods and wine
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E212 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E212" or as "Potassium Benzoate".
How to spot E212 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "preservatives: E212" or "preservatives: potassium benzoate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Potassium Benzoate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E212?
E212 is approved for use in the EU, UK and US at regulated levels, but some concerns or conditions apply. It was included in the 2007 Southampton study on food additives and hyperactivity in children, and some parents choose to avoid it for that reason. Sulphites are among the 14 major allergens that must be declared on food labels, because they can trigger asthma attacks and allergic-type reactions in sensitive people. For most people, normal dietary exposure to E212 is not considered harmful.
Full guide to E212: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).