Safe
E280 — Propionic acid
Preservative
E280 (Propionic acid), a preservative, is rated "safe": no significant concern. A natural fatty acid used to prevent mould in bread and processed cheese. Your gut bacteria produce it from fiber.
What is Propionic acid?
A short-chain fatty acid found in some cheeses (especially Swiss) and produced by gut bacteria from fiber fermentation. Used industrially to prevent mould in bread and packaged baked goods.
What does it do to the body?
Your body treats it as fuel, the same way it treats the propionate your gut bacteria make. Safe at food levels.
What regulators say
EFSA confirmed safety in 2014 with no numerical acceptable daily intake. The FDA approves it as GRAS.
Risk rating: Safe
Cleared by EFSA with no significant concern at typical dietary exposure. Common, well-studied, and not a reason to put a product back on the shelf.
Frequently asked questions
Is E280 (Propionic acid) safe?
EFSA confirmed safety in 2014 with no numerical acceptable daily intake. The FDA approves it as GRAS.
What is E280 (Propionic acid)?
A short-chain fatty acid found in some cheeses (especially Swiss) and produced by gut bacteria from fiber fermentation. Used industrially to prevent mould in bread and packaged baked goods.
What does Propionic acid do to the body?
Your body treats it as fuel, the same way it treats the propionate your gut bacteria make. Safe at food levels.
What are other names for E280?
E280 is also known as propionic acid.