E231 / Preservatives
Orthophenylphenol
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Orthophenylphenol (OPP), also called 2-phenylphenol, is a fungicide applied to the surface of citrus fruits to prevent mold during storage and transport. It is approved for this post-harvest use in the US and EU within set residue limits, though it is not added to the edible flesh of food. It is also used more broadly as a surface disinfectant outside the food industry. Because residues concentrate in the peel, washing or peeling treated citrus reduces exposure; it is classified by some agencies as a possible human carcinogen at very high, long-term exposure levels seen in animal studies, though typical dietary exposure is well below levels of concern.
Also appears on labels as: Orthophenylphenol, o-Phenylphenol, 2-Phenylphenol, Food grade orthophenylphenol, Additivo alimentare orthophenylphenol, Additif alimentaire orthophenylphenol, Lebensmittelzusatzstoff orthophenylphenol, Orthophenylphenol powder, Orthophenylphenol solution, OPP, 2-Phenyl-1-phenol, E231.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Peel residues can be relatively high; washing or peeling citrus before use (e.g., zesting) reduces exposure.
- Classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based on high-dose animal studies; real-world food exposure is regulated to stay well below levels linked to effects.
- Can cause skin or respiratory irritation with direct, concentrated, non-food exposure (e.g., industrial handling).
Country rules
Country checks for E231
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | No exact code match in the Annex II Part B list (version 2026-08-18, read 2026-10-07). Identity, subform and legal-use review are pending. This does not establish a permission or a ban. |
| Great Britain | No verified exact register record in this review. Identity and current use rules need checking; missing a record does not establish a ban. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Exact use and legal category need confirmation No exact additive-use row was found for this surface-treatment substance. CFIA distinguishes agricultural chemicals from food additives. A pesticide or post-harvest residue provision is a separate question from direct food-additive use. EatMatrix reading: Confirm the active substance, registered treatment and applicable Canadian maximum-residue limit for the actual crop. No pesticide approval or MRL was established by this additive-list check. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Orthophenylphenol; Biphenyl; Diphenyl; 2-Phenylphenol; Sodium Orthophenylphenol; Thiabendazole. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- No research links in the original record. Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| EFSA | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
| Japan | Safe |
| UK FSA | Safe |
| Health Canada | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E231?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E231 (Orthophenylphenol) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E231 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Orthophenylphenol — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E231 and why is it used?
Orthophenylphenol (OPP), also called 2-phenylphenol, is a fungicide applied to the surface of citrus fruits to prevent mold during storage and transport. It is approved for this post-harvest use in the US and EU within set residue limits, though it is not added to the edible flesh of food. It is also used more broadly as a surface disinfectant outside the food industry. Because residues concentrate in the peel, washing or peeling treated citrus reduces exposure; it is classified by some agencies as a possible human carcinogen at very high, long-term exposure levels seen in animal studies, though typical dietary exposure is well below levels of concern.
Does E231 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Orthophenylphenol.
Read the whole label.
Scan a food label with EatMatrix on iPhone to look up its ingredients in the app.
Ingredient research, by email
Join the list for food additive research updates. Unsubscribe any time.
This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.