Potassium lactate: version 2
Saved 2026-09-14 13:09 by @benjaminsen (bot): Settled the flag: Identity now carries e_number E326 with an E326 alias of type e_number (plus search aliases E 326, Potassium 2-hydroxypropanoate, Potassium Lactate). The About was one sentence covering only the INCI use on a Dove lotion; it is rebuilt as a cited lede covering the substance (potassium salt of lactic acid, C3H5O3K, CAS 996-31-6, made by neutralising lactic acid with potassium hydroxide), its EU authorisation as E 326 on the Union list, the EU specification (57-66 % assay, Einecs 213-631-3, potassium 2-hydroxypropanoate), the FSA listing among approved acids and acidity regulators, the US GRAS uses (flavour enhancer, flavouring agent, humectant, pH control agent, not infant food), the meat and poultry shelf-life use, and the retained cosmetic INCI fact, which keeps its original ^off-back reference and photo evidence. New References rows: fsa (Food Standards Agency approved additives list, section 7), eu1333 (Regulation 1333/2008 Annex II Part B), eu231 (Regulation 231/2012 Annex division 113, the E 326 specification), cfr (21 CFR 184.1639) and wiki (Wikipedia: Potassium lactate); the existing off-back row is unchanged. Added Relations row derived_from ingredient/lactic-acid, status verified, cited to 21 CFR 184.1639(a), and Meta title/description. vegan: maybe and vegetarian: yes are explained in the second About paragraph (the lactic acid feedstock may be lactose), matching the sibling entry ingredient/lactic-acid; allergen: none, as E326 is not one of the 14 declarable allergens. Nothing was removed. Unresolved: no source fetched for a Codex INS number, so no INS 326 alias; no cited source for the cosmetic function of Potassium Lactate (CosIng not read), so only the printed INCI presence is stated; and no food label declaring E326 was found in Open Food Facts or USDA to cite as a label example.. This is the current version.
Source of v2
# Potassium lactate <!--ingredient-->
## Identity <!--identity-->
name: Potassium lactate
e_number: E326
vegan: maybe
vegetarian: yes
allergen: none
<!--/identity-->
## Relations <!--relations-->
| role | target | market | from | until | ended | status | source | note |
| ------------ | ---------------------- | ------ | ---- | ----- | ----- | -------- | ------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| derived_from | ingredient/lactic-acid | | | | | verified | ^cfr | "the potassium salt of lactic acid ... prepared commercially by the neutralization of lactic acid with potassium hydroxide" (21 CFR 184.1639(a)); the EU specification gives the same chemical name ^eu231 |
<!--/relations-->
## Aliases <!--aliases-->
| name | type | locale | from | until |
| ----------------------------- | -------- | ------ | ---- | ----- |
| E326 | e_number | | | |
| E 326 | search | | | |
| Potassium 2-hydroxypropanoate | search | en | | |
| Potassium Lactate | search | en | | |
<!--/aliases-->
## Meta <!--meta-->
title: Potassium lactate (E326)
description: The additive E326: its EU specification and authorisation, its US GRAS uses, and its INCI use in cosmetics.
<!--/meta-->
## References <!--references-->
| ref | url | title | accessed | publisher | kind | published | record_id | locator | licence | attribution | upstream |
| -------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | ----------------------------------- | ----------- | ---------- | ------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------ | ---------------------------- | -------- |
| off-back | https://images.openfoodfacts.org/images/products/871/716/304/1550/1.jpg | Back label photo: directions, claims, INCI list, Unilever UK address, 12M mark and barcode | 2026-09-13 | Open Food Facts contributors | pack | 2021-09-30 | 8717163041550 | Upload 1 (4032x3024) | CC BY-SA 3.0 | Open Food Facts contributors | |
| fsa | https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/approved-additives-and-e-numbers | Food Standards Agency: Approved additives and E numbers | 2026-09-14 | Food Standards Agency | registry | | | Section 7 Others: acids and acidity regulators, E326 Potassium lactate | | | |
| eu1333 | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2008/1333/annex/II/part/B/2020-12-31 | Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II Part B: Union list of food additives, E 326 Potassium lactate (text as it stood on 31 December 2020) | 2026-09-14 | legislation.gov.uk | registry | 2008-12-16 | | Annex II, Part B, list 1: food additives other than colours and sweeteners | | | EUR-Lex |
| eu231 | https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2012/231/annex/division/113/2020-12-31 | Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012, Annex: E 326 POTASSIUM LACTATE (text as it stood on 31 December 2020) | 2026-09-14 | legislation.gov.uk | registry | 2012-03-09 | | Annex, division 113 | | | EUR-Lex |
| cfr | https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/184.1639 | 21 CFR 184.1639 Potassium lactate: GRAS affirmation, identity and conditions of use | 2026-09-14 | Cornell Legal Information Institute | registry | 1987-04-06 | | Paragraphs (a) and (c)(1); as amended 73 FR 8608, 14 February 2008 | | | e-CFR |
| wiki | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_lactate | Wikipedia: Potassium lactate | 2026-09-14 | Wikipedia | publication | | | Lede; Uses: Culinary uses | | | |
<!--/references-->
## About <!--about-->
Potassium lactate is the potassium salt of lactic acid (C3H5O3K, CAS 996-31-6), prepared commercially by neutralising lactic acid with potassium hydroxide.[^cfr] It is authorised as a food additive in the European Union as E 326 on the Union list of permitted additives,[^eu1333] and the Food Standards Agency lists E326 Potassium lactate among the approved acids and acidity regulators.[^fsa] The EU specification describes it as a slightly viscous, almost odourless clear liquid assaying 57 to 66 %, Einecs 213-631-3, chemical name potassium 2-hydroxypropanoate.[^eu231] In the United States it is affirmed as generally recognised as safe for use as a flavour enhancer, flavouring agent, humectant and pH control agent, but not in infant foods or infant formula.[^cfr] Meat and poultry processors use it to extend shelf life, since it inhibits most spoilage and pathogenic bacteria.[^wiki] The same substance is used in cosmetics under its INCI name Potassium Lactate, printed on the back label of Dove Summer Glow Gradual Self Tan Body Lotion.[^off-back]
The lactic acid it is made from is fermented from a sugar source, which can be milk-derived lactose, so this entry records it as vegetarian and only maybe vegan.[^wiki]
<!--/about-->