Sodium propionate (E281)
Updated October 2, 2026
Sodium propionate (E281) is a food additive in the “preservatives” group. It appears in 3,151 products in our database, 2,578 of them sold in the US.
Quick facts
- Also known as
- E281
- E-number
- E281
- Function
- Preservatives
- Found in
- 3,151 products (2,578 sold in the US)
Foods that commonly contain Sodium propionate
Share of published products in each category whose ingredient list includes Sodium propionate.
Popular products with Sodium propionate
c NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
NOVA 3 
d NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 
d NOVA 4 Sodium propionate-free alternatives
Popular products from the same categories that don't list Sodium propionate and score Nutri-Score A–C.
c NOVA 4 
a NOVA 4 
a NOVA 4 
a NOVA 4 
c NOVA 4 How to spot Sodium propionate on a label
Look for any of these names in the ingredient list:
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What foods contain Sodium propionate?
In our database, Sodium propionate most often appears in cakes, biscuits, pastries and prepared meats.
How many products contain Sodium propionate?
3,151 published products on Foodmetria list Sodium propionate, including 2,578 sold in the United States. Counts come from ingredient lists in Open Food Facts and update daily.
Product data: Open Food Facts (ODbL), updated daily. Additive information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always check the package label. Our methodology.