Foods Containing E261 (Potassium Acetate)
E261 (Potassium Acetate) is the potassium salt of acetic acid, 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 E261
E261 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 E261 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E261" or as "Potassium Acetate".
How to spot E261 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: E261" or "preservatives: potassium acetate". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Potassium Acetate" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E261?
E261 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E261.
Full guide to E261: 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).