E1201 Polyvinylpyrrolidone – Food Additive
E1201 (polyvinylpyrrolidone) is an approved food additive used as a stabiliser and clarifying agent, for example in winemaking and beer production.
Things worth knowing about "E1201"
E1201 (polyvinylpyrrolidone) is an approved food additive used as a stabiliser and clarifying agent, for example in winemaking and beer production.
What is E1201?
E1201 is the European E-number for polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a synthetic polymer approved as a food additive. It appears as a white, odourless powder that dissolves readily in water. Beyond food use, PVP is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications.
Use in Food
In the food industry, E1201 is primarily used as a stabiliser and clarifying agent. It is particularly well known for its role in winemaking and brewing, where it removes unwanted turbidity caused by polyphenols, resulting in a clearer final product. Typical applications include:
- Clarification of wine and beer
- Stabilisation of fruit juices and other beverages
- Improving the shelf life and visual appearance of food products
Use in Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics
In pharmaceuticals, PVP is an important excipient in tablets and capsules, functioning as a binder and disintegrant that influences the release of active ingredients. In cosmetics, it is used in hair gels, shampoos, and creams as a film-forming agent and thickener.
Safety and Assessment
E1201 is considered safe according to current scientific evidence. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated polyvinylpyrrolidone and approved its use in specific foods and beverages. The substance is not metabolised in the human body and is largely excreted unchanged, indicating low biological activity. No adverse effects are known from normal dietary intake. In the past, tissue deposits were observed at very high doses or with intravenous administration in medical contexts, but this is not relevant for everyday food consumption.
Labelling Requirements
Under EU food law, E1201 must be declared in the ingredient list of a product, either by its E-number or by the name polyvinylpyrrolidone. When used as a processing aid that no longer performs a technological function in the final product (for example as a fining agent in wine), labelling requirements may not apply.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of polyvinylpyrrolidone (E 1201) and polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (E 1202) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2020.
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.
- Burdock, G.A.: Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press, 6th Edition, 2010.
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Related search terms: E1201-en