E280Preservative
Propionic acid
What the research shows
PrototypeNot enough
published research on this page yet
1 health finding on this page so far · See the findings
An acid found in nature with a strong smell.
It is used to keep animal feed and human food from spoiling.
Written from English Wikipedia1
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- EU permitted
What research says
Studies in people
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Benefit
Immune cell changes2
In people with MS, taking propionic acid raised helpful immune cells and lowered relapse rates over three years.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
United States Permitted FDA 21 CFR 184.1081
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European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Preservatives
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 484 products on Open Food Facts that list propionic acid.
- Yellow Corn Tortillas Extra Thin Mission · 16 oz 6 additives
- Tortillas Mission · 25 oz 5 additives
- Yellow Corn Tortillas LA BANDERITA · 52 g 5 additives
- White Corn Tortillas La Banderita · 16 oz 7 additives
- Street Tacos White Corn Tortillas Mission · 24 count / 12.6 oz / 357 g 6 additives
- CHICKEN & CHEESE TAQUITOS CASA MAMITA 11 additives
References
- 1Propionic acid. Wikipedia. Accessed September 26, 2026.
- 2Duscha A, Gisevius B, Hirschberg S, et al. Propionic Acid Shapes the Multiple Sclerosis Disease Course by an Immunomodulatory Mechanism. Cell. 2020;180(6):1067-1080.e16. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2020.02.035