E261 / Preservatives
Potassium acetate
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
Potassium acetate (E261) is a salt of acetic acid used in food as an acidity regulator and preservative, and outside food it is well known as a de-icing agent. In the diet it contributes a source of potassium and acts similarly to other acetate salts in helping control pH in processed foods. It is used sparingly and is considered safe at typical food-additive levels.
Also appears on labels as: Potassium acetate, Acetic acid potassium salt, K-acetate, Food grade potassium acetate, E261, E 261, E-261, INS 261, Potassium diacetate, Potassium hydrogen acetate, Additivo alimentare E261, Additif alimentaire E261.
What is E261 on a food label?
E261 identifies potassium acetate. An acidity regulator helps adjust how acidic a food is. This describes what the ingredient does in the food; the code alone does not tell you how much you consume or what effect that amount has on your body.
E261 potassium acetate and E263 calcium acetate have different names and codes. Keep the full ingredient list when comparing products. An ingredient name alone cannot establish that the whole product is healthy, suitable for an allergy, vegan or halal.
The FSA register lists E261 as authorised in England, Scotland and Wales, with its record last updated April 1, 2025. It points to specifications and food-use conditions in Annexes II and III of the applicable regulations. This is a scoped Great Britain listing, not unrestricted permission for every food or evidence of its status in other markets.
- FSA additive names and E numbers (June 25, 2026)
- FSA register: E261 potassium acetates, Great Britain status and conditions
- HMRC ingredient table: E261 name and acidity-regulator function (not a safety assessment)
See how EatMatrix reads an ingredient list before trying the app. Compare a scan with the physical label.
Identity and food-use sources checked . The E number alone does not tell you the amount in a product. Wider scientific and market checks are described below.
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
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels.
- People on potassium-restricted diets (e.g. some kidney disease patients) should be mindful of cumulative potassium intake from additives like this one.
Country rules
Country checks for E261
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 | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E261: Potassium acetates. The Part B footnote states that this entry applies from 6 February 2013. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E261 (Potassium acetates) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| 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 | Named food-use records located. Health Canada lists the preparations below for specified foods and purposes. This is conditional permission for those uses, not approval of every product or a personal safety verdict. Only the named records and conditions below were located. Exact composition and specifications still need matching. Source tables captured . List publication dates are shown separately. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a condition of use, not an unlimited amount or a recommended intake. Food and Drug Regulations B.16.003 requires the listed source, purpose, amount and other conditions to match. The official consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026; product specifications and applicable later changes still need checking. Read 2 listed food-use conditionsPotassium AcetateHealth Canada: List of Permitted Preservatives. List published ; item P.1.
EatMatrix reading: match the exact preparation and food first. A manufacturing limit is not an acceptable daily intake (ADI). A label without the amount cannot establish exposure, and an unlisted name here does not establish a ban. |
| 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 E261?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E261 (Potassium acetate) 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 E261 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Potassium acetate — 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 E261 and why is it used?
Potassium acetate (E261) is a salt of acetic acid used in food as an acidity regulator and preservative, and outside food it is well known as a de-icing agent. In the diet it contributes a source of potassium and acts similarly to other acetate salts in helping control pH in processed foods. It is used sparingly and is considered safe at typical food-additive levels.
Does E261 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Potassium acetate.
What does E261 mean on a food label?
E261 identifies potassium acetate. Its food function is acidity regulation: helping adjust how acidic a food is. The ingredient name does not state its amount or establish a benefit or harm to your body.
Is E261 banned in Great Britain?
The FSA register lists E261 potassium acetates as authorised in England, Scotland and Wales, with the record last updated April 1, 2025. Specifications and food-use conditions still apply. This listing does not establish permission for every food or its legal status in other markets.
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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.