Potassium lactate (E326)

Potassium lactate (E326) is one of the markers Open Food Facts uses to classify a food as ultra-processed (NOVA group 4).

What it is and why it counts

Antioxidants are substances which prolong the shelf-life of foods by protecting them against deterioration caused by oxidation, such as fat rancidity and colour changes.

Cosmetic additives

NOVA calls these additives "cosmetic": they change how a product looks, feels or tastes rather than keeping it safe to eat. Their presence is one of the two defining signs of an ultra-processed food.

Function

Antioxidant: Antioxidants are substances which prolong the shelf-life of foods by protecting them against deterioration caused by oxidation, such as fat rancidity and colour changes.
Emulsifier: Emulsifiers are substances which make it possible to form or maintain a homogenous mixture of two or more immiscible phases such as oil and water in a foodstuff.
Humectant: Humectants are substances which prevent foods from drying out by counteracting the effect of an atmosphere having a low degree of humidity, or promote the dissolution of a powder in an aqueous medium.

Functional class definitions from the EU food additives regulation, via Open Food Facts.

More about potassium lactate (E326) on Wikidata

Where it turns up

Potassium lactate (E326) appears in 78 of the 40,000 products on this site (0%).

Sausages 9 of 337 products
Meat analogues 8 of 511 products
Hams 7 of 223 products
Prepared meats 5 of 881 products
White hams 4 of 65 products
Cooked chicken breast slices 3 of 53 products

Products containing potassium lactate (E326)

Showing the 60 most popular of 78.

How the NOVA classification works