E281Preservative
Sodium propionate
What the research shows
PrototypeNo concerns
none of the findings here link it to harm
2 health findings on this page, all in people · See the findings
What research says
Studies in people
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Benefit
Energy burning3
In people, sodium propionate raised the calories burned at rest and how much fat the body used.
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Benefit
Heart and gut health in HIV4
In 32 people with HIV, daily sodium propionate for 12 weeks improved cholesterol and long-term blood sugar and lowered some inflammation markers.
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 184.1784
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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 2,774 products on Open Food Facts that list sodium propionate.
- Big Mac McDonald's · 232 g 18 additives
- Chai & Quinoa loaf promise Gluten Free 9 additives
- Multi Grain Loaf Promise Gluten Free · 480 g 8 additives
- Suga free frollini senza zucchero gullón · 330 g 3 additives
- Lemon Cakes Mr. Brownie · 200 g 9 additives
- Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Hillshire Farm · 9 oz 4 additives
References
- 1Sodium propionate: ingredient taxonomy entry. Open Food Facts.
- 2Sodium propionate. Wikipedia. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- 3Chambers ES, Byrne CS, Aspey K, et al. Acute oral sodium propionate supplementation raises resting energy expenditure and lipid oxidation in fasted humans. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2018;20(4):1034-1039. doi:10.1111/dom.13159
- 4Brauckmann V, Nambiar S, Potthoff A, et al. Influence of dietary supplementation of short-chain fatty acid sodium propionate in people living with HIV (PLHIV). J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2022;36(6):881-889. doi:10.1111/jdv.18006