Guide to Food Additives - P

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April 09, 2020
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Name	Other Names	Purpose	Sourced From
Palm Oil Pubchem		Fat & butter substitute, dough making, baking, cooking	Milled, refined and fractionated from palm fruit
Panch phoran	"Five spices"	Spice blend containing fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, cumin seeds, black mustard seeds and fennel seeds. Used with vegetable and meat dishes and pickling	Various spices grown lobally
Pandan leaf	Pandan	Aromatic leaves used to enhance ethnic rice dishes, puddings, baked goods, savory meat dishes, cakes, sweet beverages, and extracts	Obtained from Pandanus amaryllifolius plant, found in tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia
Pantothenic acid	Vitamin B5	Fortification of cereals, infant formulas, energy bars, dried foods and supplements,	Found in shiitake mushrooms, organ meats, egg yolks and seeds
Papain Pubchem	Papaya proteinase I	Breaks down meat fibres in food and serves as a meat tenderisers in powdered mixes	Potease present in papaya and mountain papaya
Paprika Pubchem	Paprika, papar, paparka	Spice used in dishes globally, seasoning and coloring agent in rice, stew, meats, soups, sausages, garnishing, broths and condiments	Spice made from dried fruits of the plant varieites of Capsicum annuum family
Paraffins	E905, Paraffin wax, petroleum wax	Food grade, indigestible, wax used to make candies shineier, coating hard cheese, sealing jars, cans & bottles, chewing gums	Synthetic, derived from petroleum, coal or oil
Parsley	Garden parsley, flat leaf parsley, root parsley, curly leaf parsley	Used in varous cusines as garnish, rice dishes, savory meat dishes, stews, sauces, soups, salads, and breads	Native to the Mediterranean, cultivated globally
Patent blue Pubchem	E131, Food Blue 5, Sulphan Blue	Uncommonly used to give jellies, desserts and various foods blue color. Banned in USA & Australia	Synthetic
Peanut Oil Pubchem		Unrefined peanut oil smoke point of 320F(160C) & refined peanut oil smoke point of 450F(232C), used as frying oil and various cuisines	Extracted from peanuts
Pecan Oil		High smoke point of 470F, deep frying foods, nutty flavor adds to salad dressings & dips, substitute for butter in cooking,	Extracted from pecans after light roasting
Pectin	"congealed", "curdled"	Vegan gelling agent, thickener and stabilizer, added to jams, marmalades, protein shakes, drinking yogurts, fruit juices, suspending agent and used in amounts similar to fruits (0.5-1.0%)	Found in apples, apricots, cherries, carrots, citrus peels, guavas, pears, rose hips and berries
Perilla		Nutty aroma and taste, used in flavoring, sauces and dips, flavor enhancer, condiment, for cooking, used in Korean cuisines	Cold pressed from toasted seeds of perilla plant
Phosphated distarch phosphate	E1413	Modified resistant starch, 70% fiber, freeze-thaw-stable thickener, used in soups, sauces, frozen gravy and fillings	Synthesized using phosphorylating agent and phosphoric acid reaction
Phosphoric acid	E338, OrthoPhosphoric acid	Acidifying foods and drinks, jams, adds tangy and sour taste	Synthesized by refining phosphate ore and further distillation and oxidation
Phytic acid	E391, inositol polyphosphate, IP6	Used as a preservative	Found in the hull of seeds, nuts, grains and pulses,
Pigment Rubine	Litthol Rubine BK	Coloring agent, insoluble in water & ethanol, used to color cheese rinds	Synthetic azo dye
Pimaricin	E235, natamycin	Inhibits fungal growth in dairy & foods, neutral flavor impact, less dependent on pH, can be brined, used in cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, shredded cheeses, sliced cheeses and salami, used in very trace amounts and works by compromising fungal cell membrane	Metabolite produced by bacterial species
Pine seed oil	Pine nut oil, cedar nut oil	Low smoke point, adds nutty flavor, bread preservative	Extracted from pine nuts
Pistachio Oil		Aromatic oil used to add flavor to savory dishes and vegetables	Pressed and extracted from the fruit of pistachio nut
Prune kernel oil		Bitter almond flavor used in gourmet cooking	Pressed and extracted from seeds of prune plums
Poly vinyl pyrrolidone	E1201, PVP, Povidone, polyvidone	Soluble in water & alcohol, fining agent for wine and beers to improve traits of the product, thickening agent in tooth whitening gels	Synthetic
Polydextrose	E1200	Lightly sweet, replacement for sugar, starch and fat in drinks, cakes, desserts, cereals, puddings, dressings and low-carb products and cooking, thickening agent, prebiotic, used in low doses due to intestinal tolerance being low	Synthetic polymer of glucose
Polyethylene glycol	E1521, polyethylene oxide, PEO	Anti-foaming agent in food and drinks	Synthetic, produced by reacting ethylene oxide with water
Polyglycerol polyricinoleate	E476, PGPR	Viscosity reducing agent, in chocolattes, salad dressings, spreads, and improving texture of baked goods, soluble in fats and oils, insoluble in water and alcohol	Extracted from castor beans or soybean
Polymethylsiloxane	E900, PDMS, dimethicone	Anti-foaming agent added to cooking oils to prevent splatter during cooking, found in french fries, hash browns, milk shakes & smoothies	Synthetic
Polyoxyethylene (8) stearate	E430	Used in sauces and condiments as an emusifier	Synthetic, produced from ethylene oxide and stearic acid
Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate	E431	Used in baked goods and puddings as an emulsifier	Synthetic, produced from ethylene oxide and stearic acid
Polysorbate 20	E432, Tween 20, Scattics, Montanox 20	Wetting and emulsifying agent used in drinks, mouth drops and ice-cream	Synthetic
Polysorbate 40	E434, Tween 40	Emulsiyfing agent used in baked goods	Synthetic
Polysorbate 60	E435, Tween 60	Emulsifying agent used in baked goods, smoothing ice-cream and increasing its resistance to melting, prevents milk proteins from coating fat droplets	Synthetic
Polysorbate 65	E436, Tween 65	Emulsifying agent used in baked goods, smoothing ice-cream and increasing its resistance to melting, prevents milk proteins from coating fat droplets	Synthetic
Polysorbate 80	E433, Tween 80	Emulsifying agent used in baked goods, smoothing ice-cream and increasing its resistance to melting, prevents milk proteins from coating fat droplets	Synthetic
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone	E1202, PVPP, crospolividone	Stabilizer, insoluble in water, extraction of impurities in winemaking, removing polyphenols in beers, excipient in drugs	Synthetic polymer
Pomegranate seeds		Drink made from seeds, creating grenadine syrup, making sauces for savory foods, spice in Indian & Pakistani foods, dried seeds used in salads, yogurts, ice-creams & toppings, salad dressings, desserts, kebabs, liqueurs, jam spreads	Obtained from fruit Punica granatum, grown in dy regions
Ponceau 4R	E124, Chochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 3R, New Coccine	Red dye used in many foods and beverages Banned in USA. Permitted in Europe, Asia & Australia	Synthetic red azo dye
Ponceau 6R	E126, Crystal Scarlet, Acid Red 44	Red dye used in various foods and beverages, soluble in water	Synthetic red azo dye
Ponceau SX	E125, Scarlet GN	Red dye used in many foods and beverages Banned in USA & EU	Synthetic red azo dye
Poppy seed	Poppyseed oil, poppyseed paste	Seeds used to make muffins, rusk, bagels, and cakes, added to hamburger buns, candy bars, thickener in foods, paste used to make flavored fillings, the oil used for various culinary foods	Various types grown globally
Potassium acetates	E261, Potassium salt of acetic acid	Preservative and acidity regulator in various food products	Synthesized by bacterial fermentation of sugars, alcohol, and molasses, present in fruits
Potassium adipate	E357, potassium hexandioate	Acidity regulator used in low-sodium products	Potassium salt of adipic acid, present in beets and sugar cane juice
Potassium alignate	E400, Algin	Hydrating dehydrated products such as slimming aids, thickener for drinks, ice-cream, and jellies	Refined from brown seaweeds
Potassium aluminium silicate	E555, Microcline	Anti-caking agent in f	Obtained from mining
Potassium ascorbate	E303	Fortifying foods with vitamin C, anti-oxidant, preservative Not permitted in UK & USA. Approved in Australia & New Zealand.	Potassium salt of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) & ascorbate(mineral)
Potassium benzoate	E303	Inhibits growth of mold, yeast, and bacteria, used in sparkling drinks, soft drinks pickles and frogurts	Derived from benzoic acid and esters found in most fruits, especially berries, mushrooms, cinnamon, cloves, and dairy
Potassium bicarbonate	E501(ii), potassium hydrogen carbonate	Acidity regulator, buffering agent in winemaking, improving taste in club soda and reduce effervescence	Synthesized from potassium chloride, a mineral salt
Potassium bisulphite	E228, potassium hydrogen sulfite	Sterilizing agent in alcohol production, non-stable white powder, preservative	Mixture of salts to produce potassium and bisulfite ions
Potassium bromate	E924	White powder, strong oxidizing agent, improves the strength of dough to increase rising, production of malt barley Banned in EU, Argentina, Brazil, Canada & many countries, Permitted in USA. Prop 65 in California, USA.	Synthetic
Potassium carbonate	E501(i)	Production of grass jelly, Chinese hand-pulled noodles, mone cake, tenderizing tripe, German gingerbread, baking agent, alkalizing cocoa powder to produced Dutch-processed chocolate, buffering agent in mead & wine	White salt produced synthetically found in potash, pearl ash and salts of tartar
Potassium chloride	E508, potassium salt, KCl	Added to enhance the flavor of low sodium salts, usually more bitter, potassium fortification in foods	Small amounts found in sea salt and rock salt
Potassium citrate	E332(ii), tripotassium citrate	White crystalline powder, salty taste, buffering agent in soft drinks, nutrient for yeasts in fermented products	Potassium salt of citric acid, found in cells of living organisms, fruits and commercially made by bacterial fermentation
Potassium ferrocyanide	E536, potassium hexacyanidoferrate(II)	Anti-caking agent used to remove copper(used as a fungicide on grapes) from red wine, salt substitutes	Synthetic
Potassium fumarate	E366	Acidity regulator, fortifying foods with potassium	Synthetic
Potassium gluconate	E577	Fortifying foods with potassium, yeast food, acidity regulator	Potassium salt of gluconic acid, found in fruits, honey & wine
Potassium hydrogen sulphite	E228, potassium bisulfite	Sterilizing agent in alcohol production, non-stable white powder, preservative	Mixture of salts to produce potassium and bisulfite ions
Potassium hydroxide	E525, caustic potash	Thickening agent, acidity regulator & stabilizer, improve the peeling of fruits and olives	Synthesized by combining potassium carbonate and calcium hydroxide
Potassium lactate	E326	Preservative used to extend the shelf life of meat and poultry due to the anti-microbial effect	Potassium salt of lactic acid(found in milk and body), synthesized by bacterial fermentation
Potassium malate	E351	Acidity regulator in canned foods, sauces, drinks, sauces & various products, antioxidant & flavoring agent	Synthesized, salt found in plants
Potassium metabisulpite	E224, potassium ppyrosulfite	Common wine additive that acts as an antioxidant that protects flavor & color, inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi in beer, bleaching agent in coconut cream, pickle & lemon juice preservative	Synthesized, potassium salt of sulphurous acid
Potassium nitrate	E252, saltpeter, nitrate of potash	Reacts with hemoglobin in processed meats such as salami, ham, dried meats, bacon, sausage & corned beef to give it a pink color, thickening agent in soups & stews, a softening agent in beans and meats	Synthesized by combining ammonium nitrate with potassium hydroxide, found in vegetables and niter mineral
Potassium nitrite	E249, INS 249	Anti-bacterial preservative used in meat products	Synthesized by reduction of potassium nitrate
Potassium phosphates	E340(i) Monopotassium dihydrogen phosphate E340(ii) Dipotassium monohydrogen phosphate E340(iii) Tripotassium phosphate	Acidity regulator & metal-binding agents, an anti-clumping agent in powders	Synthesized by reduction of potassium nitrate
Potassium propionate	E283, potassium propanoate	Preservative & anti-fungal agent, used in baked goods	Synthesized from propionic acid, produced by bacterial fermentation in cheese production & large intestines
Potassium sodium tartrate	E337, Rochelle salt, Seignette salt	Adds a salty and cooling taste to foods, acidity regulator and antioxidant, stabilizer	Crystalline acid deposit inside wine barrels
Potassium sorbate	E202, Sorbistat potassium	Preservative that inhibits growth of mold and yeast in cheese, wine, dried meats, dried fruits, drinks & baked goods, fast foods, stabilizes wine by stopping yeast growth & improving clarity	Present in berries, produced synthetically from sorbic acid
Potassium sulphate	E515(i), arcanite, potash of sulphur, SOP	Used to treat water in brewing beer	Synthesized, found as a mineral
Potassium sulphite	E225	Food preservative by forming sulfurous acid in acidic conditions, bleaching agent in sugar production,	Synthesized by thermal decomposition of potassium metabisulphite (E224)
Potassium tartrate	E336, dipotassium tartrate, argol	Food preservative by forming sulfurous acid in acidic conditions, bleaching agent in sugar production,	Synthetic
Primrose	Primula vulgaris, English primrose	Edible leaves and flowers, mild to bitter flavored leaves, making soups, teas, and wine	Plant native to southern Europe, northwest Africa & Southwest Asia
Processed Eucheuma seaweed	E407a, Gusô	Emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener & carrier	Native to Equator regions, especially Southeast Asia, Africa & Indo-Pacific
Propane-1,2-diol alignate	E405, Hydroxypropyl alignate	Thickening agent used in ice-cream, desserts and confectionery	Derived from kelp
Propionic acid	E280, ethanecarboxylic acid	Anti-fungal preservative sometimes used in baked goods to inhibit bacterial spoilage	Found in fermented foods, degradation of sugar
Propyl gallate	E310	Antioxidant that protects oils and fats against hydrogen peroxide, rancidity and free radical oxidation, restricted use allowed in foods	Synthesized from propanol and gallic acid, found in plants
Propyl glycol	E1520, propane-1,2-diol	Viscous & colorless liquid used in coffee-drinks, liquid sweeteners, ice-cream, dairy & soda, used in alcohol sanitizers to prevent skin drying, dissolves colors and flavors while acting as a preservative	Synthetic, produced from propylene oxide or a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing
Propyl glycol alignate	E405, Hydroxypropyl alignate	Thickening agent used in ice-cream, desserts and confectionery	Derived from kelp
Propylparaben	E216, Nipasol, Solbrol P	Used as a preservative against yeasts and fungi in low concentration	Synthesized, present in plants and some insects
Pumpkin seed		Nutty tasting oil used as salad dressing, desserts, pumpkin soups and various ethnic dishes	Solvent extracted from pumpkin seeds
Pulegone		Flavoring agent FDA doesn’t allow the use as flavoring agent but naturally occurring can be used.	Organic compound found in plant oils
Purslane	Several plants with edible leaves of different plant families	Nutty tasting oil used as salad dressing, desserts, pumpkin soups and various ethnic dishes	Families of plants found globally
Pyridoxine hydrochloride	Vitamin B6	Vitamin required by the body to make amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, fortification of foods	Found in fruits, vegetables, and grains

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Guide to Food Additives - P

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