Food Safety Substance

Potassium benzoateE212

Potassium benzoate (E212) is a food additive with PUBLISHED in the EU, GRAS in the US, and data from 8 regulatory sources.

CAS 582-25-2 E212 Indexable evidence set

FDA

GRAS

ADI / TDI

EFSA ADI = 5 mg/kg bw/day

Codex

60 row(s)

SOURCE D1 identity resolution e number aliases | Food Additives | dsstox identifiers | 8 matched regulatory source group(s)

Substance Identity

Resolved identifiers used to render this food-safety record.

Substance name

Potassium benzoate

CAS

582-25-2

E-number

E212

DTXSID

DTXSID1027219

PubChem CID

23661960

Evidence tier

Indexable evidence set (14)

SOURCE EU Commission FDA | Health Canada | Codex Alimentarius

Multi-Jurisdiction Comparison

Side-by-side status rows for the same resolved substance across public food regulators.

Jurisdiction	Authority	Status	Evidence
European Union	EU Commission	PUBLISHED	EU additive listing; Annex II entry
Canada	Health Canada	Listed	Preservative
Codex	Codex Alimentarius	Listed	Preservative

SOURCE EU Commission EU Food Additives | EU Food Additives Database

EU Food Additive Status

EU Commission food-additive listing rows from eu_food_additives.

Jurisdiction	E-number	Status	Type	Name	Note
European Union	E212	PUBLISHED	substanceFAD	Potassium benzoate	Benzoic acid may be present in certain fermented products resulting from the fermentation process following good manufacturing practice.

SOURCE EU Commission EU Annex II Authorised | EU Food Additives Database

EU Annex II Authorised Uses

Authorised additive rows and use conditions from EU Annex II tables.

Jurisdiction	E-number	Name	INS	Policy item	Note
European Union	E212	Potassium benzoate	-	POL-FAD-IMPORT-3036	Benzoic acid may be present in certain fermented products resulting from the fermentation process following good manufacturing practice.

Conditions and restrictions

Jurisdiction	Food category	Restriction	Comment	Source
European Union	-	-	-	EU Annex II Union List
European Union	-	-	-	EU Food Additives Database

SOURCE Codex Alimentarius Codex GSFA

Codex GSFA Status

Codex Alimentarius GSFA permissions and maximum-use rows.

Jurisdiction	INS / E-number	Function	Food category	Max level	Notes
Codex	212	Preservative	01.1.4 Flavoured fluid milk drinks	300 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; For use in flavoured fermented products, heat treated after fermentation, conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003) only. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	01.6.4 Processed cheese	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	01.6.5 Cheese analogues	500 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	01.7 Dairy-based desserts (e.g. pudding, fruit or flavoured yoghurt)	120 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fermented Milks (CXS 243-2003). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	02.2.2 Fat spreads, dairy fat spreads and blended spreads	300 mg/kg	Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fat Spreads and Blended Spreads (CXS 256-2007).; As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for...
Codex	212	Preservative	02.3 Fat emulsions mainly of type oil-in-water, including mixed and/or flavoured products based on fat emulsions	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	02.4 Fat-based desserts excluding dairy-based dessert products of food category 01.7	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.10 Fermented fruit products	800 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.11 Fruit fillings for pastries	800 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.12 Cooked fruit	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.2 Dried fruit	800 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.3 Fruit in vinegar, oil, or brine	250 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.5 Jams, jellies, marmelades	250 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.6 Fruit-based spreads (e.g. chutney) excluding products of food category 04.1.2.5	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Except for use at 250 mg/kg in products conforming to the Standard for Mango Chutney (CXS 160-1987). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.7 Candied fruit	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.8 Fruit preparations, including pulp, purees, fruit toppings and coconut milk	800 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Date Paste (CODEX STAN 314R-2013). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.1.2.9 Fruit-based desserts, including fruit-flavoured water-based desserts	800 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.2.2.2 Dried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweeds, and nuts and seeds	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Laver Products (CXS 323R-2017). [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.2.2.3 Vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds in vinegar, oil, brine, or soybean sauce	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.2.2.5 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed purees and spreads (e.g., peanut butter)	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Processed Tomato Concentrates (CODEX STAN 57-1981). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.2.2.6 Vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), seaweed, and nut and seed pulps and preparations (e.g. vegetable desserts and sauces, candied vegetables) other than food category 04.2.2.5	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Tehena (CODEX STAN 259R-2007).; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for...
Codex	212	Preservative	04.2.2.7 Fermented vegetable (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera) and seaweed products, excluding fermented soybean products of food categories 06.8.6, 06.8.7, 12.9.1, 12.9.2.1 and 12.9.2.3	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Gochujang (CXS 294-2009). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	04.2.2.8 Cooked or fried vegetables (including mushrooms and fungi, roots and tubers, pulses and legumes, and aloe vera), and seaweeds	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Regional Standard for Laver Products (CXS 323R-2017). [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	05.1.3 Cocoa-based spreads, including fillings	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Cocoa Butter (CODEX STAN 86-1981). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	05.1.5 Imitation chocolate, chocolate substitute products	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	05.2 Confectionery including hard and soft candy, nougats, etc. other than food categories 05.1, 05.3 and 05.4	1,000 mg/kg	Excluding products conforming to the Codex Regional Standard for Halawa Tehenia (CODEX STAN 309R-211).; As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	05.3 Chewing gum	1,500 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	05.4 Decorations (e.g. for fine bakery wares), toppings (non-fruit) and sweet sauces	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	06.4.3 Pre-cooked pastas and noodles and like products	1,000 mg/kg	Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Instant Noodles (CXS 249-2006).; As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	06.5 Cereal and starch based desserts (e.g. rice pudding, tapioca pudding)	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	07.0 Bakery wares	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	07.2 Fine bakery wares (sweet, salty, savoury) and mixes	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	08.2.1.2 Cured (including salted) and dried non-heat treated processed meat, poultry, and game products in whole pieces or cuts	1,000 mg/kg	For use in surface treatment only.; As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	08.3.1.2 Cured (including salted) and dried non-heat treated processed comminuted meat, poultry, and game products	1,000 mg/kg	For use in surface treatment only.; As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	08.4 Edible casings (e.g. sausage casings)	36 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	09.2.4.2 Cooked mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms	2,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; Except for use in shrimp (Crangon crangon and Crangon vulgaris) at 6 000 mg/kg. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	09.2.5 Smoked, dried, fermented, and/or salted fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms	200 mg/kg	Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Crackers from Marine and Freshwater Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscan Shellfish (CODEX STAN 222-2001).; Excluding products...
Codex	212	Preservative	09.3 Semi-preserved fish and fish products, including mollusks, crustaceans, and echinoderms	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Sturgeon Caviar (CODEX STAN 291-2010). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	10.2.1 Liquid egg products	5,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	10.4 Egg-based desserts (e.g. custard)	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	11.4 Other sugars and syrups (e.g. xylose, maple syrup, sugar toppings)	100 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	11.6 Table-top sweeteners, including those containing high-intensity sweeteners	2,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.3 Vinegars	100 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.4 Mustards	300 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.5 Soups and broths	500 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; Excluding use for canned bouillons and consommés.; For use in products conforming to the Codex Standard for Bouillons and Consommés (CODEX STAN 117-1981) singly...
Codex	212	Preservative	12.6 Sauces and like products	1,000 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid.; Excluding products conforming to the Standard for Fish Sauce (CODEX STAN 302-2011). [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.7 Salads (e.g. macaroni salad, potato salad) and sandwich spreads excluding cocoa- and nut-based spreads of food categories 04.2.2.5 and 05.1.3	1,500 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.9.1 Fermented soybean paste (e.g., miso)	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	12.9.2 Soybean sauce	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	13.3 Dietetic foods intended for special medical purposes (excluding products of food category 13.1)	1,500 mg/kg	Excluding products conforming to the Guidelines for Ready to Use Therapeutic Foods (CXG 95-2022).; As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	13.4 Dietetic formulae for slimming purposes and weight reduction	1,500 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	13.5 Dietetic foods (e.g. supplementary foods for dietary use) excluding products of food categories 13.1 - 13.4 and 13.6	2,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	13.6 Food supplements	2,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	14.1.2.1 Fruit juice	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; Subject to national legislation of the importing country.; Singly or in combination: Benzoates and sorbates. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	14.1.2.3 Concentrates for fruit juice	1,000 mg/kg	On the served to the consumer basis.; As benzoic acid.; Subject to national legislation of the importing country.; Singly or in combination: Benzoates and sorbates. [Group:...
Codex	212	Preservative	14.1.3.1 Fruit nectar	1,000 mg/kg	As benzoic acid.; Subject to national legislation of the importing country.; Singly or in combination: Benzoates and sorbates. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	14.1.3.3 Concentrates for fruit nectar	1,000 mg/kg	On the served to the consumer basis.; As benzoic acid.; Subject to national legislation of the importing country.; Singly or in combination: Benzoates and sorbates. [Group:...
Codex	212	Preservative	14.1.3.4 Concentrates for vegetable nectar	600 mg/kg	As benzoic acid. [Group: BENZOATES]
Codex	212	Preservative	14.1.4 Water-based flavoured drinks, including sport, energy, or electrolyte drinks and particulated drinks	500 mg/kg	As para-hydroxybenzoic acid. [Group: HYDROXYBENZOATES]

SOURCE Health Canada

Health Canada Status

Health Canada food-additive permissions by functional class and food scope.

Jurisdiction	Class	Permitted foods	Maximum level	List
Canada	Preservative	(a)Apple and (naming the fruit or fruits) jam; Concentrated (naming the fruit) juice, except frozen concentrated orange juice; Fig marmalade with pectin; (Naming the fruit or fruits) jam; (Naming the fruit or fruits)...	(a)If used singly, the amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid. If used in combination with benzoic acid or sodium benzoate, or both, the total combined amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid.	List of Permitted Preservatives
Canada	Preservative	(b)Calorie-reduced margarine; Margarine	(b)If used singly, the amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid. If used in any combination with benzoic acid, sodium benzoate, calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate or sorbic acid, the total combined amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid and sorbic acid, respectively.	List of Permitted Preservatives
Canada	Preservative	(b.1) (Naming the flavour) essence; (Naming the flavour) extract; (Naming the flavour) flavour	(b.1) Good Manufacturing Practice	List of Permitted Preservatives
Canada	Preservative	(c)Packaged fish or meat (as defined in section B.21.002 of the Food and Drug Regulations) products that are marinated or otherwise cold-processed	(c)If used singly, the amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid. If used in combination with benzoic acid or sodium benzoate, or both, the total combined amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid.	List of Permitted Preservatives
Canada	Preservative	(d)Unstandardized foods, except unstandardized preparations of meat or meat by-product, fish or meat (as defined in section B.21.002 of the Food and Drug Regulations) or poultry meat or poultry meat by-product and...	(d)If used singly, the amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid. If used in combination with benzoic acid or sodium benzoate, or both, the total combined amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid.	List of Permitted Preservatives
Canada	Preservative	(e)Unstandardized oyster-flavoured sauces	(e)If used singly, the amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid. If used in combination with benzoic acid or sodium benzoate, or both, the total combined amount not to exceed 1,000 ppm, calculated as benzoic acid.	List of Permitted Preservatives

SOURCE JECFA JECFA ADI

JECFA ADI Values

JECFA ADI records and evaluation years.

Jurisdiction	Chemical name	JECFA no.	CAS	ADI	ADI upper	Function	Evaluation year
JECFA	POTASSIUM BENZOATE	-	582-25-2	0-5 mg/kg bw	5	PRESERVATIVE	2021

SOURCE ingredients ghs classifications

Cross-Reference to Cosmetics / Chemicals / Pharma

Same-CAS public rows from adjacent Roots verticals where available.

SOURCE Cross-vertical comparison ingredients | ghs classifications

Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence

This substance has different regulatory treatment across food, cosmetics, and industrial use.

CosmeticsPotassium BenzoateEU status: restricted Industrial / GHSGHS row foundNITE-CMC

SOURCE FAQPage JSON-LD public food renderer rows

Frequently Asked Questions

Food-use, safety, ADI, and cross-vertical answers mirrored into FAQPage JSON-LD.

What is Potassium benzoate used for in food?

Potassium benzoate appears in food-use rows as: Preservative; Preservative; Preservative.

Is Potassium benzoate / E212 safe?

This page does not assign a standalone safety verdict; it renders public regulatory evidence. ADI/reference value: EFSA ADI = 5 mg/kg bw/day. EU status evidence: PUBLISHED. US/FDA evidence: GRAS.

What is the ADI for Potassium benzoate?

Potassium benzoate has this ADI/reference value in the food-safety tables: EFSA ADI = 5 mg/kg bw/day. Source: EFSA ANS 2016.

Is Potassium benzoate also used in cosmetics?

Potassium benzoate has a same-CAS cosmetics cross-reference: Potassium Benzoate, EU status restricted.